IF THE Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston had not had an ample supply of chairs on hand, quite a few people would have been left on their feet at Jazz In The Gardens on Sunday evening.

With the prearranged seating all taken, the regular supply trolleys of chairs became a bit like supply convoys in Iraq: attacked regularly before reaching their final destination.

By the time Mari Isaacs hit the stage with Summertime, however, all were seated and the stage was set for a show that was satisfactory, if not over the top.

In fact, in closing, Karen Smith put the evening into heavenly realms as, accompanied by Sabrina Williams, she delivered a two-song Skeeter Davis tribute, which was way too beautiful to be the End of The World. She ended her performance, marked by a smile, overall good humour and beautiful singing, with a powerful song of Alleluia to Jesus that may have just reached the celestial ear. A standing ovation by some members of the audience morphed into the general exodus, but Ms. Smith was called back for an encore that ironically tarnished a wonderful end.

MIXED BAG

Sunday's Jazz In The Gardens was a mixed bag, with Robert 'Dubwise' Browne putting a mean guitar into the reggae of Sun Is Shining in playing tracks from his Birth album to start off the show. Rock from his guitar met reggae on Jimi, with Glen Browne laying down the bass. 'Dubwise' ended on a slow note to an appreciative audience.

Angel was missing in action and Mari Isaacs' trio of songs, What A Difference a Day Makes coming in the middle, went over well. 'Evon' from Mandeville stood to dance as requested ("Are you afraid of me?"), while another gentleman expressed his appreciation with a nod over her left hand.

Pianist Kathy Brown led the band that had played for Isaacs into an instrumental jam of Could You Be Loved, before Maurice Charles stepped up in jacket and with a smile to change the mood. Getting the applause going in the large audience, Charles urged "C'mon people, loosen up!" And they did, proving to be Groovy People. His signature song, Lady Love, brought squeals of delight from the audience, but especially bright smiles from the eight birthday ladies lined up on stage.

When he finished his short set with You're Gonna Miss My Loving, an encore was demanded and given, uptempo Barry White style, the band getting extended playing time to bring up intermission.

The show resumed with Keith Brown - more known as a sportscaster and part of the Heineken Startime team than a singer ­ taking a heavy voiced George Foreman approach, moving vocally with the agility of Lennox Lewis to a slice of Nat King Cole's catalogue. A touch of Billy Epstein made it a 'Sunday night at the Jazz' in closing his set.

There were screams from the get go for Karen Smith, who delightfully stated musically that money Can't Buy Me Love. "I love Kingston," Ms. Smith said. "I love Montego Bay too," she stage whispered.