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CAYMAN ISLANDS JAZZ FEST: Who Knew?
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Last weekend, the beatific Cayman Islands presented its third annual jazz festival, kicking off what is commonly becoming known as "music festival season" throughout the Caribbean.
For its most recent endeavor, the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism partnered with BET Event Productions for the biggest musical series to date, which was held on the tony Seven Mile section of Grand Cayman -- the capitol of The Cayman Islands.
Eight time Grammy Award winning diva Natalie Cole served as the main headliner for the three-day event, which spanned from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.
Neo-soul wunderkind Kem, R&B veteran Jeffrey Osborne, jazz instrumentalist Boney James, the Caribbean’s very own Arturo Tappin and hip-pop jazz player Mike Philips rounded out the handful of internationally renowned talent who joined local acts Intransit, Mainstream, Hi-Tide, Swanky and Velvet Touch for the festival.
The festivities officially kicked off with a swanky affair held at the Governor’s Ballroom in the Westin Casuarina Resort, which was also a sponsor of this year's Jazz Fest. Acclaimed choreographer turned red-hot actor Darrin Dewitt Henson (of "Soul Food" fame) and Caymanian native Dereacha Mclaughlin served as hosts of the event -- which will be televised on BETJ, BET's specialty channel which is available on digital cable networks.
Mt. Vernon, New York native Phillips jazzed up the limited-seated event with his funky saxophone stylings -- his repertoireincluded hip-hop, R&B and even traditional jazz. The Hidden Beach recording artist and his 5 piece band of brothers (including his Asian guitarist) played an array of genres including hip-hop (Big Pun's "I Don't Wanna Be A Player," 50 Cent's "21 Questions"); R&B (Stevie Wonder's"Love's In Need of Love Today") and even paid homage to Prince ("Pop Life") and jazz legend Donald Byrd.
Phillips' ovation garnering set was followed by that aural pleasuring of Detroit's native son Kem, who has been considered a modern day version of great jazz vocalist Al Jarreau.
The next night, hundreds of music aficionados gathered on the exclusive Pageant Beach to take in the silky sounds of Osborne, who literally "woo-woo-woo-ed" the crowd with his hit songs from the 1980s. Although he seemed a bit overdressed for his performance (clad in a full suit, and tie = church ready), the Providence, Rhode Island-born crooner serenaded the crowd with selections from his latest album, 'From The Soul' (KOCH Entertainment) -- a well reviewed covers project featuring R&B staples like Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" and Teddy Pendergrass' "Close The Door."
James, an incredibly popular saxophonist in his own right, preceded Osborune's set with a colorful act showcasing music from his vast repertoire of R&B standards, including Wonder's timeless and often covered "Creepin'' (popularized by late R&B balladeer Luther Vandross), Rufus & Chaka Khan's classic "Sweet Thing," and The Dramatics "In The Rain," which is featured on James'new album 'Shine.'
"People often ask me why do I play the way I do, or play the kind of music I do," James told The BV Newswire. "I grew up listening to R&B. That's just really the music I always loved and when I picked up the sax, I wasn't so much into straight ahead jazz, I really was into Andrew Woolfolk, and the guys from Earth Wind & Fire, Grover Washington, Jr. and Ronnie Laws -- the guys who started taking the R&B sound and playing sax on top of it. That's kind of the tradition I'm in."
"This is my first time on the Cayman Islands and it is beautiful here," the New Rochelle, NY native pointed out. "It's a wonderful thing."
"I do a few [jazz fests] -- Barbados and Bermuda," he added. "I do more of the stuff on the mainland but hopefully this will be an entrée to more because it's definitely a different kind of vibe. I think people are a little more laid back on an island and on vacation. It doesn’t have that city intensity to it. I think that's because people are relaxed, or stoned or something like that. I mean that in a good way. I felt a lot of love."
And speaking of love, Cole blessed the beloved sun-kissed crowd with an hour and a half set that covered the peaks and valleys of her expansive body of work, which includes R&B, pop, rock, soul and jazz.
Looking as divine as anyone in the 56-year old age range can, the late, great Nat King Cole's eldest daughter came to the island to play for keeps. While on stage, the "Unforgettable" singer talked to the anticipated audience about performing on the island for the first time in her 30-year career.
From her signature dance track "This Will Be" (which a new generation of music lovers are exposed to via those ubiquitous E Harmony commercials) to a searing rendition of Thom Jans' "Lovin' Arms" (popularized by Etta James), Cole ran the full gamut of her song styling -- and wore the crowd out.
The Verve Music recording artist bellowed the beautiful Michael Franks' ballad "Tell Me All About It" (a highlight from her 2002 opus 'Ask A Woman Who Knows'), strutted to "Mr. Melody" (from her 1970s soul era), and rounded out with a simulation of catching the holy spirit during the reprise of her haunting ballad "I'm Catching Hell."
Dallas Austin's re-arrangement of Fiona Apple's "Criminal" and Aretha Franklin's "Daydreaming" are remarkable on record (from her new album 'Leavin'") and really comes to life when Cole performs them live. She attempted her lackluster take on Des'Ree's inspirational "Gotta Be" as the encore, but the real highlight of her set was her heart-wrenching version of Greg Allman's "Whipping Post."
She was like a force of nature.
"There is something about … when we do these songs live, I can tell you that it's exciting for us, this band and this organization," she recently told The BV Newswire. "These songs just really jumpout at you when we perform them live. It's very gratifying to see how people react to it."
In conclusion, Henson, who is set to star in the upcoming movie 'Stomp The Yard,' said his experience serving as co-hostof the Cayman Islands Jazz Festival was second to none. "Overall, it was great to attend for me and it was a cultivating experience," the Bronx native said. He joked it was "very different from the everyday 'clear channel' sounds of today. I can't wait to host the 2007 festival and go horseback riding on the beach again."
"We’re extremely pleased with the turnout for jazz fest this year," offered Acting Deputy Directorof Tourism, Shomari Scott today. "The number of packages sold to overseas visitors was significantly up on last year and local residents really supported the event, particularly given that therewere a number of other functions taking place over the same period. This is now our third year and we’ve seen our numbers grow each year. We’re expecting to announce the dates for the 2007 jazz fest very soon which will also help to increase numbers for 2007."
* If you missed The Cayman Islands 3rd Annual Jazz Festival, there are a string of music festivals taking place in the Caribbean in the near future. Here's a listing:
The 14th Annual Barbados Jazz Festival
Dates: Jan.8 through Jan. 14
Artists: Anita Baker, Macy Gray, Will Downing, Stanley Jordan, Mary Mary
The 10th Annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival
Dates: Jan. 23 through Jan. 27
Artists: Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Bolton, Robert Cray, Kenny Rogers,Anthony Hamilton
The 2007 St. Lucia Jazz Festival
Dates: May 4 through May 13
Artists: To be announced.
The Aruba Jazz Festival
Dates: Late June
Artists: To be announced.
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Man if I could catch him-Henson horseback riding on a beach I will listen to country music in the Cayman Islands--that is one sexy brother with a smile that melts my heart --I can think of the harmony of jazz in the Caymans--but to think of the concerts host is more entertaining--way to go--whoever chose him-
I would come to the Cayman's even if it were a hurricane--on the beach --horseback riding--time to got take a cold shower
Crystyle Queen of the Amazons
crystyle242002@yahoo.com -
The Jazz Festival is a wonderful treat as Jazz/Music lovers favorite performers are all gathered in a beautiful setting in the Caribbean. In addition, this helps stimulate revenue by tourism which is needed in these islands.
I have a group that goes to the Barbados Jazz festival each year and they come back loving the entire island feel while their favorite performers belts out smooth jazz.
Debbie
http://www.DebbieDonovanTravel.com -
Contrary to your belief, trumpet legend Donald Byrd with a"Y" is NOT dead!
12/28/06 10:55 AM