Karen Smith - photos by Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer
"An occasion like this brings out great music," Wayne Armond told the full house at Immaculate Conception High School on Sunday.
The 'occasion' was a fund-raising vaudeville put on by the St Benedict The Moor Catholic Church, Bull Bay. The money will be used to offset a debt incurred when the church had to be repainted and its building rewired after it was damaged by fire.
The Reverend Peter Espeut, the church leader, explains.
"When I took over leadership of the church in September 2008, I was faced with the challenge to raise one million dollars to clear off the balance that was incurred three years ago." When he voiced the idea to put on a fund-raising concert, "members of the church ran with it and formed a committee". They came up with 'All in the Mix, A likkle bit a dis, A likkle bit a dat'.
MC Fae Ellington said it was not an ordinary show, and sure enough it was not. It was refreshingly entertaining and had some of Jamaica's finest vocalists and musicians.
pleasing performances
They were entertaining, professional in their performance and well attired. Their 'offerings' were given in a little bit of gospel and lots of secular. But Reverend Espeut had no difficulty with that. "The music is secular, but not profane," said he. Velia Espeut had no reservation in giving a playful, but pleasing performance of Stealing Love, while Armond took a stroll down memory lane with his original, I Still Love You.
Yekengele mixed it up with an excellent keyboard performance of a European classical from Chopin and a beautiful rendition of Praise to the Father. The classy Karen Smith closed the first segment with songs like Knocking on Heaven's Door, One Moment in Time and a medley of songs by Aretha Franklin. She closed her act by teaming up with Chris McDonald and gave a standing ovation performance of The Prayer.
In the second segment, Ossie D and Stevie G were hilarious. Ossie D's impersonation of African American characters like George Jefferson, from the comedy series, The Jefferson, was fantastic. But it was Ossie D's demonstration of Jamaica's dance history, from quadrille to gully creeper that had the audience in stitches. Thunderous applause duly came at the end of the duo's top-class act.
Judi Emmanuel was inspirational with Bridge Over Troubled Water. Dressed in a long, flowing, brown strapless dress, she entertained the audience with Simply The Best. She ended her performance with a medley of songs from Diana Ross and the Supremes.
A dapper looking A.J. Brown closed the show. He touched the audience with original songs like You Captured Me and launched his newest song, Lonely for You. And at the ending of his Spanish hit song, most members of the audience rose to their feet. Receiving the only encore of the evening, he returned with You Raise Me Up.
Desi Jones (on drum) and his friends: McDonald on keyboard and vocals, and Dale Haflam on bass guitar, provided accompaniment for the singers. Prior to the show, both band and vocalists had two long rehearsals. Jones, who had an enjoyable time, explained that, playing for so many artistes was easier because he knew some of their songs. He also arranged the programme.
outreach programme
Other performers who also gave creditable performances were Demario McDowell, the duo, Baggadito, Dr Kathy Brown, Tina Mowatt and Althea Hewitt.
All in the Mix will not be a one-off show; there is plan to stage another show perhaps in August. There are other needs to be met such as the church's outreach programme, which the funds from the night's proceeds will not be able to cover. Additionally, a different venue with better acoustics will be considered.
Judi Emmanuel - File
AJ Brown