VIDEO: A ‘Jolly’ good evening

Richard Johnson

Monday, February 06, 2012

THE sweet sounds of mento floated on the crisp night air as Jamaica’s popular exponent of mento, the Jolly Boys, gave a enjoyable set at the opening weekly concert in observance of Reggae Month at Emancipation Park, New Kingston on Wednesday evening.

The group from Port Antonio capped off a fine evening of music organised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) dedicated to Jamaica’s early indigenous musical forms — mento and ska, as well as jazz and classical music.

The Jolly Boys ignited the appreciative audience gathered in the city’s popular green space from the moment they stepped onto the stage with the popular folk To watch song Manuel Road. www. Rukumbine was to follow and this, too, was well received.

The performance was enhanced by front man Albert Minott’s movements and his humourous inbetween-song banter.

However, it was their mento take on the hit Rehab, by the late Amy Winehouse, that many had come for. The ‘Boys’ did not disappoint and had their audience singing along in chorus.

Their performance would climax another classic, this time mento’s very own Big Big Water Boy, another crowd pleaser.

Prior to the Jolly Boys, the evening’s roster of acts included the Jamaica Symphony Orchestra, Pimento Players and the Edna Manley College String Orchestra, who all represented the classical genre.

Guitarist Maurice Gordon would be the toast of the jazz segment. He took a number of Jamaican standards and served them with a touch of jazz, which went over well with the audience.

The next two acts delighted the audience at Emancipation Park venue as the Blue Beat Mento Band and ska outfit Yaadbeat had the audience rocking to some great Jamaican music.

The Wednesday concert series continues this week with a tribute to reggae bands — legends and new sensations. The line-up includes Chalice, Errol Lee and Bare Essentials, Fab 5, Dubtonic Kru, Raging Fyah and C-Sharp.

[ video link for mobile viewing ]

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VIDEO: A ‘Jolly’ good evening