WESTERN BUREAU:
THEY ARE often referred to as the fashion divas of show business... Patricia Edwards is the the soprano, Connie Edwards the alto and tenor and Claudette Robinson the mid ranger of the group Ebony.
Together they have made sweet melody and great harmony for the past 18 years, but they have decided to split.
"Over that time we have become very close. We have had our differences, but we never dwell on anything, as we learnt to tolerate each other", said Patricia.
Their professional approach to music has earned the group 12 awards; standing ovations at most of their shows and a following of thousands of people. Among the awards are the Jamaica Music Industry Award's Best Female Group; the Jamaica Federation of Music's Best Vocal and Best Cabaret Group and the Best Cabaret Group Tourism Award.
But they credit the group's artistic director/choreographer Weston Haughton for giving them their first break on stage.
"We didn't even have costumes. We had to use African prints to make wraps for our first gig at Damali Beach in Ironshore", Patricia said From that time Weston set about on a mission to shape their career, with his signature stamp of outstanding costume designs, top-class make up and confident stage presence. Even now that Weston has gone to work in St. Kitts, he has remained in touch with the group.
In 1983 Ebony recorded its first single, Don't Stop It produced by Handel Tucker. Baby It's You, and Take A Ride On A Love Train, followed Tout Suite.
Their first performance outside Jamaica was at the Porsche Club in England.
"The performance went very well, the owner of the club wanted us to stay in England, but we became homesick," Connie said. The time had come for them to make their mark on the Caribbean, so their manager at the time, Cathy Nunes, took them on a tour of Grand Cayman, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Aruba.
A sparkling presentation in Aruba got them a five-month, six nights a week contract, with two shows some nights, at both the Holiday Inn and the Alhambra Inn.
"It was exciting, stressful; it was bitter sweet... everything that comes with music", said Patricia.
The group was managed by Cathy Nunes for a number of years before signing a five-year contract with Michael Whyte. "He took the initiative to get us to record the one album Ebony has", said Claudette.
"He was a very strong influence in our career," she continued.
Ebony's most spectacular performance overseas to date was two years ago in Barcelona, Spain, when they sang at the promotion of 'Viagra' by Pfizer, the drug distrubutor.
Ebony knew the day would come when they would not be singing together as a group. But nothing prepared them for their exit from the cabaret scene.
They took the decision when one of the leading chain of resorts suggested a 25 per cent pay cut. They felt the hotel was inconsiderate because after working for the property for nearly 18 years and previously agreeing to a pay cut, the hotel was now offering the group $9,000 a show, or $3,000 per member.
"The resort gave no consideration to our experience... so whether you were singing for 20 years or six months the fee was the same. We refused and our services were terminated", Claudette explained.
The group criticised those hotel entertainment co-ordinators who move up too fast to become entertainment managers.
"It's no longer about quality, because many are offering $6,000 to artistes who are performing what hotel staff want to hear and not to entertain the guests," she explained.
Ebony's last performance was two months ago at the Holiday Inn Sunspree resort, St. James. Connie will be pursuing a career in interior decorating; Patricia will be launching a solo career, while Claudette will be working with young people in the music industry.
- Janet Silvera
