Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Nadje Leslie, violinist.

When Fae Ellington, who hosted Thursday evening's launch of violinist Nadje Leslie's debut album, first mentioned the 14-year-old's teacher Paulette Bellamy, she noted their similarity in style.

That similarity was soon evident to those gathered at the poolside of the Terra Nova Hotel, Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, for the official presentation of Violin Girl in Jamaica, Volume 1, when Leslie, Bellamy and Jon Williams performed. Leslie swayed like a strand of bamboo in a fairly strong, swirling wind, while Bellamy rocked like a pine tree acknowledging the power of the elements but not conceding to it.

Williams kept up a steady bop in place, the three ending with bows in the air simultaneously and briefly after the final upstroke, to appreciative applause.

Bellamy and Williams were not the only musical guests, as Dwayne Foster played Redemption Song in the relatively early going, after the black and pink ESOR ensemble had danced up a storm to Stevie Wonder. Later Prodigal, who said Nadje's future is "bright like Stadium bulb" deejayed his faith in God "as the journey continues in life".

Colin Leslie read a message from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Olivia Grange, which noted that "As we all know the violin is an instrument associated with classical music", going on to commend Nadje Leslie as "you rock our world to the sound of reggae and folk music, violin style". Grange also congratulated Paulette Bellamy, producer Danny Browne, engineer Chris Daley and her father Michael Leslie, who did the artwork, as "a solid team behind a strong talent".

"You have already announced to the world that you are a champion," Grange commended Nadje Leslie.

And Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who officially launched Violin Girl in Jamaica, Vol. 1, said "I first heard Nadje at the Grace Missionary Church and this little something went up there and put on a performance that was out of sight. I heard during the course of the service that her father was at the keyboard. What I did not know was that Grace was her mother".

"I have been one of Nadje's most fanatic fans since then," Golding said. "It is not just her music that is beautiful and infectious, but the personality that she infuses in the music. She is enjoying her performance as much as sheenjoys giving it to us."

And he noted that while "When young people become celebrities so early in life some of the time they go ballistic, she is so composed, so modest, so pleasant. She knows that she has a talent but does not consider herself better than anyone else. She has been taught by Paulette Bellamy but she has been nurtured by her parents".

Jamaica's greatest asset

"I think she is going to be one of Jamaica's greatest assets," Golding said, before Nadje presented a copy of the album to him. He later presented flowers to her and it was not the only display of blooming appreciation, as Leslie made a presentation to Bellamy.

Later Ellington would present Nadje Leslie's nine year-old brother, Kadeen, to the audience as a pianist, just before Glory Music's Tommy Cowan asked for blessings on Nadje and her parents.

Nadje Leslie showed the composure Golding mentioned when she stood, swaying slightly, and listened to the recorded piano, then smiled, swayed and played as the reggae hit. 'Fly Me to the Moon' was among her musical offerings under a full moon, with ESOR doing a second dance to her recorded version of Evening Time.

Then, as the launch came to an end, Nadje Leslie went folk with Linstead Market, changed the season with a trip into Mango Time, visited Solos Market and took flight with Marley's Three Little Birds, leaning forward on the last strains and looking up with a smile.

Foster returned for them both to do Waiting in Vain, Leslie starting out on a darkened stage before Foster entered on the line "from the very first time I set my eyes on you", to which she replied "now I know I'm way down on your line".

Then string and wind combined on the chorus.

Leslie's last song was the rocking Rukumbine.

Violin Girl in Jamaica, Vol. 1 is available at Music Mart, Craft Cottage and both international airports.