JAZZING IT UP

This turned out to be a wonderful weekend as we got together at Silver Sands to attend the Jazz festival, although for me it was a rocky start. For on reaching Mount Rosser on my way down, I ran into an accident and had to turn back to Ewarton to take the alternate route. As I left Ewarton, I got a puncture. Luckily, two nice young men changed the tire for me and advised me to go back to Ewarton to get it fixed as the bypass road was lonely and bad and there was no place along the way to fix a tire. I took their advice and all was well from there on, despite the terrible condition of the bypass road.


My brother, Bernie, his wife Judy and children Stephanie and Whitney as well as Stephanie's husband Sean, were all on board. I have not seen the kids since the wedding some two years ago, so it was really great being with them.

The venue for the festival was absolutely ideal. I hope it will be permanent but with Jamaica being in the dire financial straits that it is, I don’t see how, for this is really a sporting venue and if you start using the grounds for music festivals, they will be destroyed. But does the Ministry of Sports have the capacity to successfully market the venue for music and other forms of entertainment and forget the sporting aspect? I don’t know but as a taxpayer I am very concerned.

Anyway that aside (as if it’s a small point) as I said earlier, the venue was fantastic. For example, this was the first time I have been to the festival and not been faced with a traffic nightmare. This time it flowed perfectly for not only is the stadium far away from the crowded streets, but also, the parking space is humongous.

As for the grounds. You could actually wonder around freely without bumping into people left right a centre. I remember at the festival when Diana Ross was here and those in the back surged forward because they could not hear her, all exits were blocked and you had to wonder if there was an emergency if anyone would get out alive. Not here. Space galore although the promoters tell us that the crowds were bigger than usual.

I thoroughly enjoyed Machel Montano, the new energy god. ( Elephant Man, you have been outdone!)

Lady Saw (Marion Hall). was absolutely fantastic, throwing off her lady Saw image for the very sophisticated Marion Hall. She had the crowd eating out of her hands as she showed her versatility as an entertainer, interspersing her songs with lectures about relationships and even revealed her earnest yearning to have child. During the break she walked around and because there was a fertility specialist with us there,( Dr. Mulvaney), he grabbed her up and interviewed her extensively, promising to take on her case himself. Stephanie who is also heading to that area of medicine was also interested in her case. She graciously gave them her full attention, autographs and to their delight, took individual photos with every one. The family is definitely her number one groupie!
Gladys Knight was also fabulous keeping us on our feet with her numerous hits during her entire performance.

The only bad acts during the two nights I attended were Erika Badu and Third World. I was really disappointed with Third world which in my estimation is now totally washed up. Half the patrons left during their performance.


The entire weekend was wonderful although the sea was a bit rough and a mountain of seaweeds had washed in. C'est la vie, can't have it all!