Local acts shine - Jamaican music wins at Jazz Fest

Paul-André Walker, Entertainment Editor

LIKE BIRDS fly south for the winter, Jamaicans and some from other parts of this world make the sojourn to the western end of the island for the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. Last night was the night most people clamoured for, a rare live performance from Celine Dion.

There were record sales for the night, but what is interesting is the way Jamaican music competed with the star power of Las Vegas' leading lady.

On Thursday night, Walter Elmore, chairman of Art of Music Productions, the organiser of the event, must have been pleased. It was a night focused on celebrating 50 years of Jamaican music, bearing in mind the country's 50 years of Independence.

It was memorable.

Artistes recognised

Marcia Griffiths, Shaggy, King Yellowman, Lloyd Parkes of Lloyd Parkes and We the People Band, the iconic king of ska Derrick Morgan, master crooner John Holt, and Maxi Priest were all awarded for their contribution to Jamaican music since Independence.

They beamed with pride as an appreciative audience beamed back. Their performances showed that pride, and there could not have been a member of the audience who felt a penny was wasted.

Celine Dion is undoubtedly a monster drawing card for an event in Jamaica, but it is with a glad heart that I can say, so are our very own hitmakers.

This year, the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival seems to have outdone its previous editions, and a feat accomplished with local performances aiding the effort in no small way.

Tonight, there will be more of the acts that count to the name Jamaica Jazz & Blues, but even before a note is sung, the event has been a success.

The line-up tonight is Cee-Lo Green, Temptations, Earl Klugh, Heads of State, Destra Garcia and Damian Marley.