IN recent weeks, Heather’s — The New Kingston eatery — has joined the slew of hang-out spots to introduce a weekly live music session. This cosy venue is becoming known for its warm crowds and top-notch performers. Last week’s live-music night featured three very different but considerably talented acts.

Singjay Infinity, who performed first, was all business from the get-go. His musical style is best described as a fusion of all major genres. The self-described “neo-Reggae artiste,” spewed skilfully crafted lyrics conveying comedy, romance, social commentary and inspiration into a short but impressive stint on stage. Psycho — homage to the King of Pop that borrowed its arrangement from his classic Human Nature — had the fans in stitches. Up next was the consummate showman, Angele Smith. This seasoned performer, who hails from western Jamaica, has entered several competitions, including Digicel Rising Stars (with then band, Group Angel Boyz). Smith’s raspy, powerful vocals have an inflection similar to Tracy Chapman’s. In the final of his two encores he belted out James Brown’s I Feel Good accompanied by the legend’s signature dance moves to the delight of the patrons. The featured act was the ‘lucky man’ Courtney John. He entered the stage, clad in his signature suit and shades, to rapturous applause. A witty prologue segued into the easy-listening Good Life from his sophomore album Unselfish.

John’s interaction with the fans was akin to a teacher and his pupils with prompts for participation being met with enthusiasm. He had the audience eating from the palm of his hand. His vocals were flawless. Songs such as Beres Hammond’s Stop a Man from Trying and other classics like Wanna Get Next to You, and Have You Seen Her drew whistles and prompted patrons to sing along. Lucky Man — from the Made In Jamaica album — has an old-school arrangement and was a huge hit among the fans, especially the more mature. John referred to the next part of his set as the ‘I can live with my women, can’t live without my women’ section. Fittingly, the perennial favourite I Go Crazy sent the audience into a frenzied state. The crooner was a few bars into the song when at the behest of event organiser Lloyd Laing, who went on mic to request a ‘pull up’, stopped and took it from top, to the crowd’s delight.

Courtney John was in superb form. It was ‘nothing but smooth sailing’ with little time being wasted. The interspersed conversations with the crowd, in between tracks, prompted participation. He had the undivided attention of his fans who clapped on beat, harmonised, and danced for the entire set. John chose Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? to close his set and the session. It was dedicated to the memory of the eight members of the Tredegar Park community whose lives were snuffed out days before. He then exited the stage to applause but was summoned for an encore, which turned out to be an emotional rendition of his single Sometimes.

On his second attempt at exiting the stage, John was asked to remain at the request of an overwhelmed fan. So moved by the performance, this member of the audience took to the stage to thank him for the beautiful set he’d delivered. His set was succinct and eclectic. Patrons were left hungry for more by the quality production and masterful delivery of all artistes.