Richie Stephens shows class
Published:Monday | January 30, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Like a 'maniac' under the influence of music, Richie Stephens delivered a scintillating performance on night two of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, second to none other than Celine Dion.
Sharing the spotlight with the international megastar was no easy feat, but Stephens, who has broken down major barriers and gained worldwide appeal was 'dangerously' electrifying, as he took the thousands of jazz patrons from one hit to the next.
Renowned as a class act, Stephens opened his set with oldies but goodies, then proceeded to share the pain of the death of his son who was killed outside his gate last year, before engaging the audience in an uptempo and very appealing gospel routine.
Stephens, who has been a household name in Jamaica for nearly two decades, donned fire red for the 16th annual festival, and he came with one intention in mind - to thrill.
In fact, during one of his songs the sky seemed to open up and burst into imaginary flames, but this was really the backdrop on which patrons feasted their eyes.
For patrons at the event, one of the defining moments was when Stephens brought on his friend Gentleman for what could be tagged a real treat.
The two, who have teamed up for the hit song and powerfully moving ballad, Live Your Life, were a perfect combination.
Gentleman brought energy that could be felt near and far, while the crowd sang along and were highly entertained until they were prevented from singing a new song.
Their performance was cut, making way for the sexy, sultry Nicole Henry, with whom jazz greats such as Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald would have been pleased.
Henry's jazzy rendition of Bob Marley's Waiting in Vain was an instant hit with the audience.
The song, which is now back on the charts in the United States, went over exceptionally well. Henry sparkled, just as the jewellery on her wrists and in her ears did.
Both Stephens and Henry's performances were preceded by Jully Black, a very good rhythm and blues singer out of Canada with Jamaican ancestry, but for some reason she failed to grab the crowd's attention, not connecting as well with the crowd despite her uptempo performance, which should have garnered an enthusiastic response.
Whatever happened at the Trelawny grounds last Friday night, Jully Black remains a musically competent artiste.
Siblings, Tessanne Chin and Tami Chynn did well, but because their performance was so short, it was hardly memorable. Nor frankly was it their best performance. These two have exerted far more energy and zest in other performances. They, however, did manage to get sections of the crowd singing along.