Love fills JMTC concert

Michael Reckord, Gleaner Writer

It's AlL About Love was the title of the concert produced by soprano Carole Reid and staged at Alhambra Inn before a large and appreciative audience last Sunday. Presented by the Jamaica Musical Theatre Company (JMTC) in association with the hotel, the concert began at 5:30 p.m. and ended at 8 p.m.

When disaggregated, the performers, who were grouped as 'Carole Reid and Friends,' turned out to be 15 singers and instrumentalists united by some aspect of love. The youngest two, Jamaica College student Brandon Goffe, the concert's percussionist, and nine-year-old Ben Brown, a vocalist, showed by their flair that they were both music lovers and lovers of performing.

Well received

Brown sang a well-received Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Goffe played his trap drums throughout much of the show. The other accompanists were pianists Kamala Hamilton and Livingston Burnett.

Andrew Lawrence served double duty as a witty and informative compere and a captivating singer. His first song, introduced as being "for the ladies", was A Life-long Love Song. Not only the ladies, but the entire audience, showed their delight for that item and later for his second solo song, You Fill Up My Senses.

A number of other fine vocalists performed before Lawrence, who was listed 11th and 18th on the 24-item programme. One was Karla Josephs, a JMTC member, who first sang My Heart Will Go On And On, made popular by Celine Dion, and then, in the second half, the romantic I Believe in You And Me.

More romantic

Even more romantic was the young crooner Andre Shepherd who not only sang his songs, Suddenly (a Billy Ocean hit) and Buy Me a Rose, to the ladies but he held the hands of a couple of them as he sang, hugged one and danced with another. There were approving cheers and applause at his actions.

Among the favourites of the concert was long-time JMTC star Jodi HoLung, who actually began her performing career with the JMTC's affiliate, the Jamaica Junior Theatre.

In her expressive, beautifully modulated voice, HoLung first sang You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore, then, perhaps an hour later, Think of Me. The song, and its final, extended note, earned the singer extended applause.

Following HoLung in the first half was tenor David Reid, a sometime producer of the JMTC concerts. He was introduced by the emcee as "an example to many" and "a true teacher".