Jazz ends on high note

IT WAS A MAGNIFICENT end to a magnificent weekend of jazz as supporting act Tessanne Chin gave a bold and sensational performance to bring the 2014 St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival to a close yesterday.
As a sunny afternoon turned to damp conditions, Chin’s voice filled the atmosphere around the Main Stage on Pigeon Island with such texture, staff members and the large audience paused to soak it in.
Performing popular songs like Try and Tumbling Down, the Jamaican winner of NBC’s reality singing contest The Voice also bridged the generation gap by doing an interesting ska mix with the song Strings of Love.
Chin also took time to thank the supportive audience, leaving inspirational words of wisdom.
“I was always told to fight for what you believe in… and I was lucky to have a mummy and daddy to tell me that anything is possible,” said Chin.
Also on stage were supporting acts Monty Alexander, who is also of Jamaica origin; The Commodores and newcomer Leela James.
Alexander brought spice to his set, mixing reggae and ska to create a jazz mix.
The Commodores, still as sultry as they were back in their heyday, did their usual repertoire of R&B hits such as Brickhouse and Nightshift, despite having their dynamic performance plagued by sound issues. 
Fresh from New York, Leela James who preceded headlining act Maxwell, sang boisterously with a rich voice reminiscent of greats like Tina Turner. Her performance seemed incomplete however, as there was no emotional connection with the audience.
Closing the final curtain was headliner Maxwell. He admitted he was having problems with the sound, but serenaded the women with Stop the World and Fistful of Tears.
The penultimate night of jazz on the Main Stage featured memorable, electric performances from headliners P-Square as well as supporting acts Elvis Crespo, Kem, and the St Lucia Exposé, featuring Michael Robinson, Anesha Antoine, Jessy Leonce and Thaddeus Lionel.