JUST?CALL?HIM Mr Magic.
Saxophone prodigy Mylon Clarke blew the hall down last Thursday evening as a member of Rasputin And Friends, directed by Antonio “Boo” Rudder. The funky Roberta Flack track allowed the 22-year-old to showcase his impressive range and improvisation techniques during the free sunset concert at the Frank Collymore Hall.
Strolling across the stage, Clarke took the lead in several numbers in the show and proved why he was worthy of a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, presented to him at Sagicor Christmas Jazz last month.
Clarke, along with bass player Damien Neblett and Antonio Rudder Jr, brought youthful vibes to the performance, blending well with Rudder’s steady drumbeat and the expertly executed riffs from Ian Alleyne’s guitar.
Blue Monk got the evening off on a colourfully jazzy note, preparing the moderately sized audience for an eclectic show. The ensemble also gave its own spin on No Woman No Cry, Autumn Leaves and the popular Caribbean classic Roxy Roundabout.
After a pause to Take Five for intermission, vocalist Keisha Christian opened the second half with picturesque scenes of Bridgetown Market and wisps of a cooling Summer Breeze. For the latter, she shared centre stage with Alleyne, who put down some moves on the guitar – and otherwise.
Christian also gave a powerful rendition of Jimmy Cliff’s Many Rivers To Cross, reaping generous applause from those who watched and listened. Tributes to Miles Davis, a sugary-sweet tune and the Blue Bossa ended the more than two-hour showcase. But even as the curtain came down, the audience still wanted more. After a few encore calls and some deliberation, the band sent the audience to their homes with Lord Kitchener’s Old Lady Walk A Mile And A Half.
