When you team really great Jamaican musicians with a really appreciative audience, the result is nothing but pure magic. And pure magic was indeed palpable at the recent School of Music lunch hour spin held at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts last Thursday.

Visualise an eleven-piece aggregation comprising the top flight of Jamaica's musical greats led by no less than master musician Peter Ashbourne, who is also on keyboards. The aggregation known as the E-Park Band, was in house as part of the Black History and Reggae Month observations at the institution.

The impressive amalgamation of musicians also included: Vivian Scott and Hopeton Williams on trumpet; Romeo Grey, trombone; Dean Fraser, baritone saxophone; Ian Hird, saxophone and flute; Everton Gaynor, tenor saxophone; Othneil Lewis, keyboards; Dwight Pinkney, guitar; Glen Browne, bass and Desi Jones on drums.

From the first note it was clear that the afternoon would be truly memorable. The ensemble struck up a lively tribute to the late Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd. This medley included favourites: Simmer Down, Ball of Fire, Love I Can Feel and Got to Go Back Home. Throughout their set the band's presentations only got better. The set also included Glenn Miller's In the Mood and Birdland, the classic jazz fusion tribute to Charlie Parker. These pieces brought the six-piece horn section to the fore, and one got that sense of what a big band should sound like.

The tempo definitely rose a notch when School of Music lecturer and Berklee alum Michael Sean Harris took to the stage. His interpretation of Simon & Garfunkel's Late in the Evening, set to a lively Latin beat had the room rocking. But it was his original piece Moonshine Darling which had the audience, which included his students, truly loving the sound. Browne's bass line took the latter piece to another level, and when he sampled the Jamaican classic Shine Eye Gyal, the audience erupted.

Then it was the turn of Jamaica's Queen of Cabaret, Karen Smith, whose voice and vocal styling always seem at home in the jazz idiom. One could not help but overhear a young student ask, "which song she sing?" Our shock at this comment was relieved at the end of her set when said young man remarked, "she is the best thing I have ever heard!"

She commenced her set in true jazz form with Cole Porter's De-Lovely. This was followed by a beautifully delivered duet with Michael Sean Harris. Their presentation of Because I Knew You from the Broadway production Wicked was everything a duet should be, in harmony, controlled and romantic. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith, (the original Broadway cast) had nothing over Smith & Harris.

Smith should have rounded off her set with her powerful Aretha Franklin medley, comprising Natural Woman, Think, Say a Little Prayer, and ending with R-e-s-p-e-c-t, but the audience would have none of it. So at was on to Fever the little ditty made popular by Peggy Lee. Here again it was Browne's throbbing and consistent bass line coupled with Karen's impeccable styling that left the audience feeling the heat.

Being Reggae Month, it was clear that the lunchtime would spin end with music from the King. Hence a wonderfully moving rendition of Bob Marley's perennial anthem One Love which had everyone on their feet for an ovation.

According to Peter Ashbourne, this aggregation represents some of the finest musicians in Jamaica and it is hoped that this will inspire the students who experience them. Judging from their responses and the lively discussions which followed with the artistes, mission accomplished.

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