Several audition for Talent Stage

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Against the picturesque background of smashing waves under bright sunlight, musical instruments made sweet melodies. These conduits of beautiful sounds were comprised of the familiar - vocals, saxophones, trumpets, guitars, keyboards and percussions and dejembe drums.

However, while the instruments were readily identifiable, their proud owners were not. So in the forms of bands and as soloists, they took part in a live music competition that will put them on the talent stage at the Jamaica Jazz & Blues, and ultimately dissipate their musical obscurity.

This quest for fame should not be seen as an impossible dream, as Ewan Simpson, one of the producers of the event, explained.

"Tessanne Chin, who is on the main stage this year, performed on the talent stage. We have several major acts that have come through the system," he said.

Other former Talent Stage performers - such as Roots Underground - have gone on to do well in Jamaica.

The third of three auditions held by the organisers of Jamaica Jazz & Blues, aptly called the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Talent Stage, was held on Sunday at Wickie Wackie in Bull Bay.

Talents to be exposed

The talent search was in its 12th of the 16 years of the jazz show. And the producers have used the audition process to select some up-and-coming and hidden talents for exposure on the talent stage.

"In the context of the Jazz Festival, there are few opportunities for these artistes to perform at this level."

Needing only 12 acts from the over 50 who participated in the auditions, Simpson also told The Gleaner that "We are looking for interesting interpretations of music in general; we want people to add creativity."

And creativity was abound on the Sunday evening. Except for a handful, they all added some form of creativity to their reggae, jazz and blues cover versions. From the opening to the final act, the original selections were also digestible, for the most part.

Each act was allowed 10 minutes onstage. Some performers used their allotted time for band changes wisely and performed the maximum three selections.

Four hours of music

And after approximately four hours of endless musical items and the disappearance of the brilliant sunshine and the sea only visible by its sounds, the last act left the stage.

As the final act made their way home, an obviously exhausted-sounding Simpson described the event as "good".

"It was an interesting mix of acts. Of course, we got the exotic and the unprepared, the shy and the self-assured."

Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival will run for three nights, January 26-28 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. Along with the 12 chosen talents, eight specially invited performers will entertain the audience on the talent stage each night. They will also be called on to perform during band changes. The Thursday show will be a celebration of Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence.