Entertaining, melodic ‘konversation’ on the ivories
WHAT started out in 2008 as the misnomer Battle of the Ivories has since been rebranded Ivories in Konversation.
Last Sunday, eight of Jamaica’s finest keyboard players bonded in artistic fellowship at Pegasus Hotel’s Jazz in the Garden, providing the audience with an entertaining evening of innovative instrumentation on the ivories.
The bi-monthly event served up a musical tapestry that highlighted the diversity and versatility of the entire cast. As the flower among the thorns, so to speak, lone female “konversationalist”, Dr Kathy Brown’s name has surely gone aboard for her superb classical treatment of Sly Mongoose. Before that, she dished out a most sumptuous delivery of Footprints.
The first of two one-man band performers, Dennis Rushton, playing the accordion, keyboard and the melodica, accordionist, keyboardist and melodician, made the most novel entry when he came from the rear of the garden playing his accordion. He was a delightful multi-dimensional performer.
The other one-man band, Ozouné, a favourite with patrons, was also equally efficient on the melodica as a “blow-organist” (as he was often teased by emcee Michael Anthony Cuffe), as well as a keyboardist.
The most stirring piece came Harold Davis’ orchestration of Bob Marley’s I Shot the Sheriff ,during which he embellished his lively presentation with smooth vocals, especially on I’ll Stay With You.
Quite fluent on the keyboard, Christopher McDonald used his flexible fingers to give a commendable presentation of On Broadway and You Will Know. Andrae Campbell will be remembered for his inspirational offering of What A Friend We Have in Jesus. Not to be outdone were the exciting violinist/keyboardist Jon Williams, Othniel “Ottey” Lewis and Darren Harris on sax.
Veteran balladeer A J Brown added his voice to the night’s fare with excellent performances of Moody’s Mood for Love and Al Jarreau’s monster hit, Roof Garden.
During the finale there was an engaging and absorbing exchange on the melodica between Dennis Rushton and Ozouné, at the end of which both gave each other high-fives, much to the patrons’ delight. The musical bonding ended on a lively note with all the performers, including Desi Jones on drums, Donald Waugh on guitar and Dale Brown on bass, sending the fair-sized gathering home with the popular traditional folk song Evening Time and On The A Train.
