From Devon Court tothe Dub Club: 2 ends of a musical spectrum

With a an almost gangly appearance and a high-top fade that looked more like a fez, pianist Mikhail Johnson seemed an unlikely prodigy approaching the instrument inside artist-curator David Boxer's drawing room-cum-courtyard on Sunday evening.

But the youngster,  hailing from the hills of St James and having already sojourned at Herbert Morrison high and NCU (bio-science major) was a picture in fluidity as he masterfully interpeted pieces by Beethoven, Bach, De Bussy and - most loved by this  writer - Rachmaninoff.

His calm aplomb earned him sustained applause, two encores, and rapt attention of the varied audience in after-show conversations. Though he has studied with the likes of Orett Rhoden and Kimberly Cann, ists current teacher David Johns to whom much of the kudos should go.
As he prepares for the Grade 8 Level exams of the Royal Society of music programme, its off to Darliston Westmoreland next for the young man whose name will long resound in concert halls and the minds of music aficionados worldwide. Remember, we told you.

Also in the hills, this time above the eastern end of the Liguanea Plain, - with the city stretched regally below

the roots sound system jam session Kingston Dub Club. The pungent aroma of fresh cannabis billowing in the night air and heading over the recently added deck deck and out onto the sparkling cityscape, carried on the endless waves of classic drum-and-bass, "rockers" great and obscure.

And despite a slightly torturous nightdrive (five minutes outside of Papine), a tremendous atmosphere and a diverse and growing mix of "fans" and the curious coming from all corners, we left the irie gathering in full steam and climbed the demanding brick-step trail back up the ravine to the road

Once you know where to look, Jamaica's got it all

Sounding Stronger than the US Dollar: Pesso and Company at Regency Bar

As we have often stated here, its not enough for a musician to have the chops technically, he (or she) must also be able to express himself in such a way as to pull even a reluctant auidence in to win over hearts and minds with genuine, diverse communication.

The Regency Bar at the Terra Nova was again the place for just such a "campaign" when trombonist-vocalist and multi-hyphenate good guy Everton "Pesso" Pessoa took the floor. With an able cast or "Regency Regulars" such as Paul "Smiley" Madden on bass, Obed Davis on drums and Anders Lopez (who's readying his own full-length recording project) on the piano, the group ran through the expected standards but flipped them in subtle yet startling ways

the real highlight though was a medley of Jamaican folk songs, the call-and-response patois probably lost on several of the expats present but certainly not the spirit as exemplified by Pesso, who uninhibitedly went directly up to persons - trombone still in hand - and sough their own responses to the choruses. Needless to say it was a mixed bag, but there was nothing uncertain about the quality of the music.

There's a good thing happening at the Regency  - one which more of those who say they want quality music should hasten to support

Musically, a Solid Alibi: Kathy Brown & Friends

Even if the Barron's courtyard in Kingston was filled to overflowing Sunday night, there was certainly and appreciative spirit among the faithful who gathered for the most recent renewal of the Alibi 4th Sunday Jazz Jam.

And there was lots of good music to appreciate. Keyboardist-composer Dr Kathy Brown liberally sprinkled her own fine tunes (Spirit, By Sunday) amongst some equally tasteful covers. "Satta A Massa Gana" segued neatly but robustly into "I Shot The Sheriff" There is of course a trend for Jamaican instrumentalists to put their spin on Bob Marley Tunes (indeed, he remains a global musical preoccupation) and several Bob Marley gems went down, this time in the (appreciative) presence of long time Bob Marley engineer Dennis De Menace Thompson.

And Brown had plenty of help in her quest. Drummer Desi Jones and the always improving Paul Smiley Madden rounded out a robust rhythm section that was further strengthened by the addition of Stephan on percussion and - all too briefly - trombonist Pesso - who did a nifty vocal turn on Fly Me To The Moon.

In between sets there was the always impeccable selections of Merritone's Monte Blake, who remains a fount of knowledge and a supreme encourager of quality.

vocal fans were also in for a further treat later in the night. The CyberSka man, David Madden, normally heard on both trumpet and vocals, was time out content to add lyrics to a sprightly arrangement of eastern Standard Time. He then made way for the evening's highlight. Ellan Edwards-Neil, very much with child, who delivered a silky Besame Mucho in tribute to former colleague and well-known bon vivant Walter Campbell. Her pinnacle however, came with an exquisite delivery (musical and vocal) of Jimmy Cliff's I Can See Clearly - with the bridge especially setting a new standard for intelligent and inventive interpretation.

The music went on for a wee bit after that, but this writer was already sated (and with a young one of my own to help raise) departed a very happy camper, hoping the series my have the longevity and the popularity it deserves.

Breathtaking!: TO-Isis, Cakes and booths liven up Wedding Expo

The annual Wedding Expo provided an opportunity once more for providers of bridal services - resort, emcee, sound, lighting, stationery, registry & financial - to show their wares at the Jamaica Pegasus over a weekend of fun, sampling and song.

Vocal Group- To-Isis (in essence a trio for this date) had the audience rocking to their high energy covers and one original entitled "Take My Breath Away". There was also a mass sing-along of sorts to the obligatory Jon Legend smash "All of Me" (already THE most over-played song of all time, but that's just us)
we captured a few pics to give a taste of the experience, whether your nuptials are upcoming or long gone

Golden Sun Rises in Kingston - 50 years of Jamaica Japanese releations

Yah Mon - Arigato!

the two terms of greeting/acknowledgement were used pretty much interchangably on Saturday last as the Embassy of Japan teamed with Jamaican cultural interests to mark the golden Anniversary (1964-2014) of Jamaica-Japan diplomatic relations, which would no doubt have been spurred by Jamaica's presence at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The festivities unfolded on the Jamaica House grounds (Hope Road side)

But its cars from Japan and reggae music from Jamaica (although that ratio is changing) that form the bulk of trade and cultural exchange between the two nations today. There was much live reggae, from both jamaican and Japanese artistes, and there were also cars on offer, with banks at the ready to finance. In between, there e was more than enough to keep the large numbers occupied as the following images show.

dancehall stars TOK along with anime characters

Yalies sing gospel a Yaad

Its quite a ways from New haven Connecticut, and quite a difference in temperature too, so the members of the Yale gospel choir must be doubly happy to be spending time here on the Rock,

where come Sunday, they'll give a recital at Kingston's St Margaret's Anglican Church.

Founded in 1973, the present group includes - unsurprisingly - a Jamaican in the form of Sharlayne Waller - shown here (right) with 2 of her choirmates on a shopping break in the Half Way Tree/Constant Spring Road Plazas.