By Abdul Muhsin
MIAMI – Undoubtedly the best music festival in the Caribbean, Jamaica Jazz and Blues
Festival hit a bump in the road this year.
Previous years have brought some stellar performances by some superstar groups and soloists. This year we did not get the superstar acts, with the exception of Lionel Richie and maybe Chicago.
The O’Jays although not considered superstars, but indeed legendary, held their own on Saturday night with all their hits and displayed consummate showmanship. Randy Crawford and Joe Sample showed us how important it is to have good songs in your repertoire, and how essential it is to be able to interpret those tunes with style and class. But it was Lionel Richie that brought the house down. Song selection plus production made him the hit of the weekend. The crowd stood and danced and loved and sang his entire set. Lou Gramm from Foreigner followed Lionel and was left with just a few diehards in the audience. Atlantic Star survived their set with the help of some good memorable songs, but the performance a quite a bit to be desired.
Jamaica Jazz and Blues continue be the “dime piece” when it comes to destination events. The staff is professional in their presentation and production of the event. This year was challenging. It’s difficult to continue to bring superstar acts every year. Eventually you will run out of superstars.
This year President Obama wasn’t available. A little thing called the Presidential Inauguration kept him away.
Perhaps, next year Turnkey Production will be able to field some stronger acts. Here is a good barometer when choosing acts for a primarily Jamaican audience. We like popular music in all genres. The key is popular. Chicago is a fantastic group. They are like the Grateful Dead. If you know the music you will love them. If you only know a couple songs you will be bored silly. Chicago fans like Deadheads love the music and know the entire repertoire. Unfortunately they are popular not in Jamaica, and fans will not travel to Jamaica in large number to see them. We love Country, Pattie Page, Kenny Rogers, Jim Reeves (sorry he’s past) Skeeter Davis and Charlie Pride not Carlene Cater. Popular music is the key. Turnkey must go back to its winning formula of presenting acts with superstar status that appeal to the critical Jamaican music lover.
Jazz has a form and that was not displayed this year. The E Park Band gave us a rendition of Ska with some Jazzy flavors, but did not give us the pure form. What happened to Monty Alexander and the likes thereof? Perhaps Reunion Jazz Quartet was to take the place of an Alexander. Be careful Jazz has a form and enthusiasts are expecting that piece from Jazz and Blues. Bo Diddley was the highlight for Blues enthusiasts a couple of years ago. There was no Blues this year. Remember this is a great destination for “good music” lovers. Let’s not take that for granted. “Good Music” lovers want the best artists and don’t mind paying for it. Turnkey has proven over the years that they can achieve in presenting the best artist at Jamaica Jazz and Blues. We are confident that they will return to great expectations and produce another stellar event next year.
