By Andrew Clunis,
Freelance Writer
Teddy Price and Valerie Latham console Jean Jones (right), widow of singer John Jones. They were at a special tribute to the late singer held at the Little Theatre, Kingston Monday night. - Winston Sill
A CONCERT featuring top performers from the Festival of Arts over the past 50 years and a number of those still active in the entertainment field, took place at the Little Theatre, Kingston on Monday night as a tribute to late singer/actor/broadcaster, John Jones.
It was a night of great entertainment, the kind Kingston had not seen for a long time. Under the theme 'To John With Love', more than 25 of Jamaica's finest performers showed their love and respect for their late colleague for over three hours.
There were moments of laughter, bittersweet reflections and sadness.
Among those paying tribute were Logarhythms, The Company Dance Company, the cast of Royal Palm Estate, Commander John McFarlane, Beverly Dexter, Easton Lee, Cathi Levy Players, Peter Ashbourne and Ashes, Wayne Armond, Louis Marriott, Ernie Smith, Karen Smith, Carlene Davis, Leonie Forbes, the Unique Vision, Dimario McDowell and Delano McFarlane, Charles Hyatt, the Songbirds (Sophia Fisher, Maria Myrie, Christine Virgo and Noella Eldridge), Fab 5, Myrna Hague, Ossie D and Stevie G, Cecil Cooper and Lovindeer.
Emotion
Grub Cooper had to wipe away tears after his band performed Heavenly Father specially for widow Joan and son Jason. Tony Patel brought a Gleaner newspaper clipping from the mid-1960s showing he and John competing in the National Speech competition.
Louis Marriott recited a piece written over 30 years ago and Ernie Smith did a soulful new song. Karen Smith performed Everything I Own and to overwhelming requests doubled with Celine Dion's The Heart Does Go On.
Carlene Davis brought the gospel in This Island Needs Jesus, but one of the best performances of the night came from Leonie Forbes who read two hilarious writings from Easton Lee. She displayed the brilliance which puts her atop the pile. So did Charles Hyatt who did Communicating On A Spiritual Level, during which he pretended to have a cellular phone conversation with John Jones in heaven.
Charles made it seem so real. He threw jabs at Lloyd Reckord, suggesting that if John needed a double for any role he was playing in heaven, he should send for Reckord and not him, Hyatt. The audience took it in good taste.
The Unique Vision performed two songs from their new album and Myrna Hague delivered Here's To Life with characteristic brilliance. Diamario McDowell and Delano McFarlane delivered well.
Cecil Cooper copied Jones' stage animation in delivering Delilah. Ossie D and Stevie G flashed their class at the audience, with Ossie D dancing with energy as they sang Put A Little Love In Your Hearts. Lovindeer, fully dressed for the revival, closed the show. He sang his rivival hits and brought the Little Theatre to a waving frenzy.
The performers all gathered on stage for a finale, singing, That's What Friends Are For.
They were joined by Jean and Jason and there were hugs all around. Emcees were Fae Ellington and Edgar Gal-limore, while Rose and Co. decorated the venue and Fab 5 provided sound.
