'Big' beginning - Ron Isley, Alison Hinds give Jamaica Jazz and Blues fantastic start

Sheena Gayle, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:

In the same way her musical compatriot Machel Montano dominated the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival last year, soca queen Alison Hinds wore her crown well, injecting a carnival-like energy in The Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium to steal the show last Thursday night.

The gyrating never stopped until she exited the stage at 2:30 a.m. after giving the jazz crowd more than an hour of what was a sizzling performance.

The moment she walked onto the stage, it became clear that she intended to transform the stadium into a carnival scene. She hoped her fans were able to handle it.

They were. The crowd stepped up to the challenge. When they were not busy singing along with Hinds, they were busy waving their rags or whatever they could find and dancing to the soca notes that evoked the need to move their waists.

With songs like Faluma, Caution and Roll It Gal to name a few, the Barbados-born musician, who was performing at the festival for the first time, had patrons eating out of her hands and scored huge responses when she solicited a male patron to join her onstage to showcase his dancing skills.

The musical diversity of the festival was evident with the presence of Ron Isley who came to the stage prior to Hinds' soca infusion.

The suave Isley oozed with confidence that seeped into the microphone and out through the speakers of the venue. 'Mr Big' had arrived.

Slowly but confidently, he walked onto the stage at midnight, looking dapper with his black and gold cane and a distinguished allure.

Despite performing for more than an hour, time was not sufficient for the musical icon, who is celebrating over 50 years of music, to sing all his hit songs.

Audience in a trance

Isley's appearance at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival had the audience in a trance. The musical splendour he provided along with his sensual female stage companions gave him all the more credit in the eyes of his fans. Isley, not for the first or the last time, displayed his ability to offer timeless entertainment.

Get There singer Brenda Russell, who shared the stage with Phil Perry and the Paul Peress Project, could do no wrong even though her performance was Only For One Night.

Fifteen years after she did, the international smash hit Shy Guy, Diana King reigned supreme at her first appearance at the 15th staging of the festival. Her vocal range gave the audience goose pimples as she gave a superb set. She did more than just Say A Little Prayer and it was just enough for her fans.

Earlier performances from Digicel Rising Stars' Nickeisha Barnes and Cameal Davis were crowd-pleasers and set the precedent for the great acts which followed.