This lady cruises to the music at the tribute show for Egbert Evans at The Deck in New Kingston last Wednesday. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clacha/Staff Photographer

Last Wednesday night, members of the higher strata (both in terms of age and musical standards) of Jamaican music turned out to perform for one of their own, saxophonist Egbert 'Eggie' Evans, who was seated in the audience.

So did a hefty slice of the music-loving public for a weekday evening, many hands swinging to the beat and clutching bottles of preferred brew on board The Deck, Trafalgar Road, New Kingston.

As tribute events tend to go, many performers were shoe-horned into a limited time span, though this time with an obvious level of organisation. So, true to tribute event form, 'Friends of Eggie' did not evolve into a concert which gave the audience an opportunity to see the individual performers really put on a show, although their quality was obvious even in the limited time.

Not that they seemed to mind the brief microphone stints, Fab Five providing the music for most of the tribute. And there was no denying the quality of the music that was delivered, or the depth of friendship extended to Eggie.

Skatalites catalogue

And seeing that Evans is a saxophonist, it was very fitting that at the end, the hornsmen gathered onstage to dip delightfully into the Skatalites catalogue, Mickey Hanson and Dean Fraser (the latter's delivery of Ghamballa going over especially well) doing solo stints.

Guitarist Dwight Pinkney donned dark glasses to become The Guitar Man as he sang and played to end his stint, while percussionist Bongo Herman (who, ironically, roused the audience with his rasping voice and enthusiasm more than other far better singers) dipped into his bag of percussive tricks on Drifter.

Bongo Herman delivers a lively set.

Egbert 'Eggie' Evans enjoys the music at his tribute show at The Deck in New Kingston last Wednesday.- Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer