THE closing item on Friday night’s tribute to Jamaica’s recently departed cultural icons truly summed up what these guardians of the arts are, Simply the Best.

However, the truth be told, the stage was set from the very first note, a duet featuring Rishille Bellamy-Pelicie and Latoya Hall-Downer. Their rendition of For Good, from the Broadway production Wicked, was really the theme of the night particularly the line, because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

The venue was the University of Technology’s Caribbean Sculpture Park and the event was a celebration of the life of six of Jamaica’s cultural icons who made their transitions within the past seven months — Professor Rex Nettleford, Wycliffe Bennett, Trevor Rhone, Sonny Bradshaw, Albert Huie and Wayne Brown.

The evening’s programme, which was the climax of a number of activities at the university to honour the contribution of the men, was set to dance, readings, music and through the wonder of technology, the gems of these giants, in their own words.

In the case of broadcaster and trainer Wycliffe Bennett, his tribute focussed on his work in the establishment of the local festival movement. To this end, the UTech choir ensemble delivered an entertaining suite of folk songs including Manuel Road, Lion Heart and the much-loved Evening Time. Bennett’s segment was capped by a colourful presentation by the UTech Dance Ensemble set to Sonny Rollins’ mento-infused jazz piece, St Thomas, played by the UTech instrumental band.

The programme then shifted to the work of playwright and author, Trevor Rhone. The sound of Rhone’s booming bass voice seemed to fill the park and bring about an eerie feeling as he read from one of his celebrated works, Bellas Gate Boy. The UTech Drama Ensemble then had the audience in stitches as they brought to life a scene from Rhone’s Old Story Time.

Perhaps the most profound segment in the tribute to Professor Nettleford was the freeze frame at the end of a video vignette on the late academic, dancer and choreographer. It is a scene from one of his work, Kumina. As the King, Nettleford shuffles and offers libation to the spirits he blows a mouthful of white rum across the stage — freeze frame.

That image earned spontaneous applause from the small, but appreciative audience gathered. The solemnity is taken to an even higher level with the performance of shae (Many Rains Ago) by Stephanie Bennett, a piece taken from the soundtrack of Alex Haley’s Roots, which Nettleford had so seamlessly woven into his work, The Crossing. There could be not tribute Nettleford without the dance. The Stella Maris Dance Ensemble filled this slot with a spirited presentation, Gyn Nyjami.

Sonny Bradshaw and jazz seem synonymous. Therefore his presentation focussed on the work and worth of this jazz man. His widow, Myrna Hague, was on hand to share the moment as the UTech Instrumental Band took the audience through three standards — Satin Doll, A-Train and Cherry Pink. The latter was highlighted by an entertaining interplay of trumpets between Fitzory Bennett and the legendary Winston ‘Sparrow’ Martin.

The Bradshaw tribute closed with the E-Park Band featuring Peter Ashbourne, Desi Jones, Dean Frazer, Glen Browne and Michael Sean Harris.

Pat Ramsay and her team from the UTech Centre for the Arts can take a bow of a job well done, both in terms of concept and execution. This is definitely a step in the right direction as we begin to recognise and honour our own.