NINE-MEMBER American a capella group Traces of Blue charmed their audience at Emancipation Park in St Andrew last Friday.

The event, Blues on the Green, is the 22nd staging of the Black History Month concert organised by the United States Embassy.

Traces of Blue, comprising Washington DC's Howard University past and current students, took patrons on a melodic musical journey of popular and original works.

The young, energetic members performed the Estelle/Kanye track American Boy, Marvin Gaye's Heard it Through The Grapevine, Need You Now, and We Belong Together.

The group lifted their performance even higher with renditions of theme songs to television shows. Music from The Flintstones and The Cosby Show were immediately recognisable.

At times, one had remind oneself that there was no musical instruments involved, as the voices created such great sound.

A small cheering section -- fans from the group's appearance on the NBC talent show The Sing-Off would begin making requests to which they obliged including the Marley classic One Love joined by veteran musician Jimmy Cliff, who was special guest of US Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater.

The event opened with Harold Davis and Friends who entertained with renditions of Sattamassagana, My Funny Valentine and the Bill Withers classic Ain't No Sunshine.

-- Richard Johnson