Ebony, Bare Essentials to headline police ball
Published:Friday | November 25, 2011 | 12:00 AM
by Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Jamaica's darlings of cabaret, Ebony, promise exciting dynamism, while Errol Lee and the Bare Essentials say their audiences have long accepted that they offer far more than the bare necessities when they hit the stage.
Both groups will headline Montego Bay's most coveted end-of-year social calendar event, the St James Police Civic Committee Inaugural Police Ball at the state-of-the-art Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James, tomorrow.
Their performances will be bolstered by members of the indomitable Jamaica Constabulary Force Band. One thing is for sure, the ballroom at the new convention facility in the tourism capital will come alive with songs such as Back a Yard, Bare Essentials biggest hit to date, and Umbaya, the song about village life in South Africa.
The band, which performs regularly in Kingston and has toured Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, Central and South America, has been creating quite a musical stir in the tourism capital, where it makes regular visits entertaining some of the most discerning audiences.
Anxious to share the limelight, Ebony's Claudette Miller warns patrons that they are to come expecting an impressive compilation of songs that will take them from yesteryear into modern-day contemporary genre.
The alto in this group of rare and immense talent, Miller is complemented by the baritone Constance 'Connie' Edwards and tenor/soprano Marsha Scott-Hinds, the newest addition to the team. Although a newcomer, Marsha Scott-Hinds is not new to the business, she was a member of the popular All-Girls band from Girls Town, Kingston, and has toured with the Wailers, Marcia Griffiths and Buju Banton.
"Marsha brings youthful energy to Ebony and her personality shines on and off the stage," said Miller.
Excited by the prospect of what he terms a "real ball, with little talking", chairman of the St James Police Civic Committee, Dr Lee Bailey, said, "These musical darlings of cabaret remain a force to be reckoned and bring audiences to their feet whenever they touch the stage. Their fans not only enjoy their melodious voices, but are always curious to see what new creation these fashion divas will be showcasing when they hit the stage."
His comments are backed by the fact that the Montego Bay home-grown girls have performed as opening act for many superstars, including Jeffrey Osbourne, Gladys Knight, Ray Goodman and Brown, the Manhattans and Regina Belle.
The music is just one aspect of the event, which will become an annual drawing card for the fund-raising committee. Dr Bailey says he has more than 20 prizes, including jewellery, vacation at the island's various resorts, dinners, and even small household items as giveaways for the 300 people he expects to attend.
"Outside of the fact that we will have a great event, our main objective is to recapture the interest of the public and to assist in bridging the gap between the police and various communities in St James," said the committee chair.