AWARDING excellence in music for the 14th year, King Omar Promotions' annual banquet last Saturday at Curphey Place was indeed a musical testimonial of gratitude. Three of the recipients, Millicent 'Patsy' Todd, Larry McDonald and Dwight Pinkney returned the compliment in their performances.

In her acceptance speech, Todd took the opportunity to sing praises of the mentorship she gained from the late Duke Reid, but moreso Sonia Pottinger.

"Most of all a woman named Sonia Pottinger who I named her a woman of substance. A man name Duke Reid. This plague that I am getting right now, I don't think I deserve it. I think she does. Because without her I don't know where I would be today," said Todd who later performed a duet with Strangejah Cole, one of her two former singing partners, while the other Derrick Morgan, looked on approvingly.

As Strangejah and Patsy, they had guests buzzing just as they did back in the day with the old ska standard Give Me the Right. By herself, Todd who was back home for the first time in five years, continued to entertain with Mariam Makeba's Patta Patta (a take off from the famous poem Buta Buta) before closing with the soca anthem Fire Fire.

Master percussionist, Larry McDonald, didn't only blaze up a storm on the drums, but after his performance, in a distinguished gesture, handed over the drum set to the director/curator of the Jamaica Music Museum Herbie Miller who was also a honouree -- receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a cultural historian specialising ethnomusicology.

Not a man of many words, Dwight Pinkney's acceptance speech came on the fretboard. On it the veteran guitarist/songwriter gave delightful renditions of his compositions made popular by Dennis Brown How Could I Live, Sattamassagana, and Put It On, Mystic Mood and another of his timeless tunes Nengeh Nengeh.

After the completion of the awards ceremony, inclusive of presentations to Winston 'Sparrow' Martin, the Skatalites with the Immortal Gold Award as well as special awards to sound system operator Haldaine 'Jimmy Metro' James (of Metro Media fame) and dance promoter Cecil Simpson, there were some incredible performances. Pioneer Lascelles Beckford harked back to the days when his was one of the smoothest voices on the local music scene. The old stager still has what it takes to entertain an audience. This he proved with his performance of In The Mood For Love, No Man Is An Island, More and his signature tune Mighty Organ.

The Jays also lived up to their old school status with a lively set. But the real sparks out of the showcase came from the contemporary voice of Tanice Morrison who brought a freshness to Althea and Donna's 80s big hit Uptown Top Ranking, Marcia Griffiths' Melody Life and I'm Still in Love With You Boy (her take on Alton Ellis' I'm Still In Love With You Girl) and her original Look Who's Sorry. This rising songstress is a consistent performer who seems destined to be a future honouree.

Rhythm Masters Band was in its element backing all the performers, so too Michael Thompson providing musical selections and Norma Brown-Bell as compare guided the proceedings smoothly throughout.

  1 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments