Jazz performers ready for Bob Andy Unplugged

Jazz lovers are in for an incomparable Jazz experience at Friday night's Bob Andy Unplugged - Tribute To The Songwriter concert, being staged at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium, Jamaica College.

The jazz segment will feature a number of respected performers doing interpretations of their favourite Bob Andy songs. Among them will be Myrna Hague, affectionately referred to as 'the First Lady of Jazz'.

Hague who began her career in the 1960s has made a significant impact on the music industry and is internationally recognised for her enduring hits, First Cut Is The Deepest, How Could I Live, What Colour Is Love and others.

Musician, Desi Jones, whose group will provide backing for 12 artistes in the Jazz segment of the programme, says he is impressed with the idea of the project.

"I have always been familiar with and loved Bob Andy's music, but it wasn't until Junior Lincoln, the show's producer gave me an extensive list and CD of over 40 songs Bob had written, that I got to study his music in-depth," says Jones.

"It is a great idea. Bob is the consummate songwriter. I have always looked at him as a soul-jazz singer, singing reggae. He is that good," he added.

In addition to Hague, Jones' six-piece band will provide backing for performers including: Kathy Brown, Cezar, Mutabaruka, Della Manley, Georgia Henry, Soul 4 Soul and others.

"We will be interpreting some of Bob's music with a Latin, jazz and in some cases, a reggae twist. It will be quite different from the orchestra with Lloyd Parkes and We The People and Dean Fraser's group which will be mainly doing reggae interpretations," he said.

Other artistes

The tribute concert which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., will also feature the likes of Tarrus Riley, Freddie McGregor, Ken Boothe, Big Youth, Duane Stephenson, John Holt, Luciano, Marcia Griffiths, Marie-claire, Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Nadine Sutherland, Pam Hall, Protoje, Sean Michael Harris, Sharon Tucker, Suzanne Couch, Tony Rebel and more.

While the other musical arrangers will be Ibo Cooper, Peter Ashbourne and Sean Michael Harris.

Following the concert, a Merritone party which is included in the concert admission price will be held on site.

Tickets for Bob Andy Unplugged can be purchased at Suzie's Bakery (Southdale Plaza), Music Mart (Twin Gates Plaza), Copy Cat (Loshusan Plaza, Barbican), JC Old Boys' Association Office (Jamaica College, Old Hope Road).

The tribute concert is the collaborative effort of the Friends of Bob Andy - artistes, companies and other individuals. The Bob Andy Song Foundation has been established to handle Bob's current and future medical expenses as well as other charitable endeavours. All proceeds from the Bob Andy Unplugged concert benefit Bob Andy's medical care and recovery and the Foundation's work to nurture and inspire young songwriters.