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.
