Soca was a perfect sync at Jazz fest

Patrons at the 14th staging of JAMAICA Jazz and Blues festival at were in injected with high energy as soca music ruled Friday night through Trinidadian Machel Montano.

Throughout his entire 45 minute performance jazz and blues fans relinquished themselves from their seats and submitted to the call of their feet to dance as the Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny was transformed into a carnival-like atmosphere second to none.

While Machel showcased his usual onstage gyrating antics to much delight of his unyielding fans, he unveiled a different side as he paused to do sing the emotional Don’t You Leave Me song dedicated to our Caribbean neighbours Haiti who were devastated by the recent 7.0 earthquake as he played the keyboard. With hits like Dance With You and Its Carnival Machel could do no wrong as he had patrons waving and dancing up until he exited the stage.

Prior to Machel’s performance, The Queen Projects thrilled the crowd through the commanding vocals of Tamia, Deborah Cox and Kelly Price. The highly anticipated performance by these three divas delivered on its promise to entertain. As they sang the new single Mirror the audience reflected the love by showing their support and rocking to each note they uttered. Each gave the other an opportunity to perform solo on the jazz fest stage before regrouping to assist each other on their respective hits. With Tamia’s Stranger In My House, Deborah Cox’s Nobody’s Suppose to Be Here and Kelly Price’s Friend of Mine they helped each other with their individual hits to culminate a brilliant and unforgettable performance that will cement them in the hearts of jazz fest fans.

 Known for her eccentric sense of style in fashion and music, a captivating Erykah Badu had patrons hypnotize by her bass heavy, jazz and hip hop soulful sound as she went On and On at the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues festival. With the absence of her mega hits Bag Lady and Tyrone Erykah did not fail in her bid to exert her musical diversity while pausing at regular intervals to talk to audience. Opening with The Healer she had the audience induced throughout her over one hour performance and her onstage mixing skills on an electric drum.


Closing an evening of excellence in music is something international star Billy Ocean has accustomed to and last night was no different. From Caribbean Queen, Colour of Love to Love Zone, Suddenly each song registered into the hearts of his fans and even moving some to tears. “We love you Billy” continued to echo from adoring fans as he took them on a timeless musical masterpiece.

Among the early acts who performed creditably well were Robin Banks, Karen Holness, M’Lonie and Bengy Myers.