GREENFIELD, Trelawny — The first night of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival held at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, might not have attracted a huge turnout, but it saw some great performances from the cast of performers.

There is no doubt that the man of the night was American R&B singer Ron Isley (of the famed Isley Brothers) who delivered a scintillating performance. There was no announcement heralding his entrance on stage, he just walked on and made his way ‘Between The Sheets’ dapperly dressed in a black and cream-coloured suit.

Isley was ultra smooth and had no problem getting the jazz crowd mesmerised with his classic love songs.

“Do you want it all night!” he shouted to the crowd.

“Yeah!” was the jubilant response.

While it was impossible to satisfy the insatiable appetite of his audience, Isley gave them enough with hits such as Choosey Lover, Don’t Say Goodnight, Voyage To Atlantis, Harvest To The World, Love The One You’re With and It’s Your Thing.

Just when you thought the singer was through, he disappeared and came back as ‘Mr Biggs,’ cane in hand and all, performing a medley of favourites such as Best Friend, he closed off his set with Fight The Power.

Earlier in the evening Nickiesha Barnes worked a smooth set her strong voice ringing out into the night air, before making way for fellow rising Star grad Cameal Davis. Announcing that she was no dancer — it was obvious she wasn’t joking, however she made up for that deficit with a perfect rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody and How Will I Know.

The Peter Perres Project featuring Phil Perry and guest Brenda Russell were a delight. Brenda Russell charmed with her mega hit Piano in the Dark. The singer also mentioned her ‘Christmas gift’ from the late singer Luther Vandross. He recorded a song she penned entitled Only For One Night, she performed it to the

delight of the jazz crowd acknowledging just how much she missed him and his voice.

Russell also performed another song she penned Oleta Adams’ Get Here.

Following their stint on stage it was time for Diana King. She came on with a burst of energy with Closer.

King took delight with rapping with her audience, then delivering her songs, it was clear though that the crowd wanted her more popular numbers to which she responded, “You don’t expect me to just give you the hits first. Chu, unno soon get it,” she teased.

When she finally performed Shy Guy, it was a bit of a disappointment as she did the remix which didn’t have the anticipated effect.

After exiting, MC Richie B prompted the crowd asking them if they wanted more, King returned to perform the soulful Say a Little Prayer For You .

It was definitely time for a change of pace with the closing act for the night soca/calypso queen Alison Hinds.

“Are you ready to shake something?” she enquired before going off into a very energetic set. Which included hits like Ride Di Riddim. It was clear that the ‘lovey dovey’ session was over and it was time to work up a sweat. The field was transformed with patrons ‘brucking out’ as carnival fever took over.

The festival concludes tonight with performances from Natalie Cole, Air Supply, Laura Izibor, Committed, Tony Greene, Aisha Davis and Silver Birds Steel Orchestra.