By Justin Whyte,
Entertainment Editor
Sheila Southern in performance. - Ian Allen
IT WAS an evening of traditional and contemporary jazz with nostalgic singing Monday night at Le Meridien Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
The Derek Cox Aggregation, featuring some of our finest musicians Jon Williams, violin; Dale Haslam, bass; Maurice Gordon, guitar; and Desi Jones, drums, provided the music.
The ensemble began warmly, but developed rapidly as the musicians won the hearts of jazz aficionados, who were in attendance.
The aggregation presented a good mix of jazz rhythms. Along with their dynamic and artistic leader, Derek Cox, they explored the world of traditional and experimental music.
The musicians showed versatility and agility, a keen sense of timing and rhythm, which are not often associated with an ad hoc assemblage of musicians. And they demonstrated a flair for interpretation. The jazz musicians literally made lovers of the genre sit up and take note.
After the customary break, one of Britain's sweethearts of jazz, Sheila Southern, took to the stage dressed in a stunning blue sequinned off-the-shoulder gown and eye-catching slit to the front of her gown.
With 40 years experience on the stage, she mesmerised her audience with a programme of popular tunes, including traditional jazz, some coated in the blues and barbershop harmonies. And the audience loved her interpretations, performance techniques, especially when she performed her medley of Take The Ribbon From Your Hair, Put Your Sweet Lips A Little Closer and I Can't Stop Loving You.
She has a penchant for country music and ballads and her renditions brought a standing ovation from the satisfied audience.
Duncan Campbell, a trumpeter and performer with over 50 years in the music business, showed his special way with trumpet and song. The audience was taken to a fantasy land and they cheered the presentations.
Ernie Smith opened the show. And according to a member of the audience: "The man whose music continues to undergo changes internationally and locally asserted his expertise."
Another said, "The pieces played by Ernie Smith could be described as a celebration of life. The pieces were characterised by strong melody, rhythms and harmonies which showed a mix of the traditional and contemporary."
"Ernie added a kind of romantic flair to the pieces and delivered them with precision, at times with frightening intensity. He was just awesome", another told The Gleaner.
