Island rhythms
To single out one performance is unfair but props have to be given to Linley Marthe, the bass player from the last act, the Mario Conage Trio (pianist).
During his solo pieces his playing was endlessly fascinating to behold. At the end of each repertoire he shared a laugh with the drummer, Obed Calvaire, while acknowledging the loud applause and catcalls.
Called Rhythm Of The Islands, the third leg of the Naniki Jazz Safari was held at the scenic Harrison’s Cave Saturday evening. And it was indeed a Caribbean diaspora with musicians from Trinidad, Cuba, Haiti, Martinique and Mauritius.
Let’s attribute the listless and semi-responsive crowd to the first act on stage because of the half hour late start to accommodate the last tram ride of the underground caves.
The Annise Hadeed Collective with pannist Hadeed (from Trinidad), drummer Richard Bailey, bassist Douglas Redon, guitarist Theron Shaw, trumpeter Kevin Robinson and saxophonist Luther Francois played a full hour set but not even the sweet sounds of calypso could stir the crowd to a full attention.