Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Jessica Yapp performs at the launch of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2007, held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel on Friday, December 1, 2006. She also performed at the festival in Montego Bay, St. James, in late January. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Jessica Yapp conquered the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival on Thursday, January 25, at the Aqueduct, Rose Hall, St James, as patrons screamed for an encore from the young performer.

A musical genius, Jessica has been amazing audiences from very young, having yearned to play the violin since she was one. Now 13 years old and a third-form student at Campion College, Jessica is pursuing her dreams to even greater heights.

Classical music

According to Jessica's aunt, Belinda Lee, this was her niece's first foray into the jazz world, having played mainly classical music. With the assistance of musicians Jon Williams and Ibo Cooper (who has written music for Jessica) the young starlet dazzled, even when the fans were distracting her by screaming her name.

"When it comes to her music she's very calm. Whatever is taking place around her she's able to block it out. The crowd was just waiting for more; she woke them up. It was electrifying; she makes it different," Lee said.

Now a standout at classical music, with a diploma in violin from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, Jessica is pursuing a second diploma. While looking to music as a future she still has her head grounded, wanting to pursue a medical practice on the 'side'.

Jessica says "I feel proud of my accomplishments that I could reach so far with the violin. I want to thank everyone who has helped me, my friends and family."

Performances

Jessica has performed in Washington, U.S.A., at church services, Jamaica House for the Primi Minister Portia Simpson Miller, at King's House, and was in the Digicel booth at the recent Jazz and Blues festival every night. While this is more than an accomplishment for most 13-year-old children, Jessica still hopes to expand her career while enriching the local music scene as well.

"I'm looking forward to doing work with other artistes. Now I'm looking into the pop world, dancehall and reggae. I want to use my classical background to enrich my culture. Now I listen to the radio more, people like Sean Paul and Bob Marley. I think it's more fun music than classical. It's simple in terms of structure, where you rap over the beat. With classical you have to have all the dynamics and structure right. That's what I'm doing with jazz now, putting my own dynamics into it," Jessica said.