The spirit of the late Professor Rex Nettleford could be felt inside the chapel on the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies two Fridays ago.

The professor, who died in Washington DC one year ago, was being remembered with an evening of music, verse and a little movement, as the University Singers and friends paid tribute to the cultural icon.

With friends including the UWI String Ensemble, The University Chorale, The Panoridom Steel Orchestra and Professor Edward Baugh, the selections reflected the life and work of Nettleford.

The late professor’s work with the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) which he founded in 1962, was definitely bourne in mind when the music for the evening was being selected.

The rendition of Jimmy Cliff’s Many Rivers to Cross by the Panoridim Steel Orchestra brought to life Nettleford’s 1974 work Tribute to Cliff, and Oluwa from Quincy Jones’ Roots, was a soothing reminder of the final tableau from Nettleford’s The Crossing.

His involvement in studies into Rastafari was not forgotten once Djenne Greaves and his team of drummers started delivering the Nyahbingi classic, Fly Away Home.

Former ‘singer’ Ellan Edwards, now Ellan Neil, would evoke a fill range of emotion in the audience when she delivered the touching You’ll Never Walk alone. This piece demonstrated Neil’s melodic and controlled voice which resulted in a well-punctuated delivery. The Chapel at Mona would resound with laughter when she followed up with a hilarious, Jamaican take on the Rodgers and Hammerstien original — My Favourite Things from The Sound of Music. One could not help but imagine the inimitable Julie Andrews delivering Neil’s adaptation — Big bashy bimmas with white fluffy poodles. White flour dumpling with Grace chicken noodle. This was a joy to listen to.

The University Chorale has indeed come a far way since their beginnings and based on the quality of its vocalists, it will surely feed the University Singers, with outstanding talent in years to come. Mention must be made of soloist Alecia Forbes from the Chorale whose diminutive stature is nothing compared to the voice it houses. She was angelic in her delivery of Caccini’s Ave Maria. Other notable presentations from the Choral include the solemn Set Me as a Seal and the crisp A Joyful Alleluia, both presented a capella, they showcased a well-trained choir.

Kadeem Gray, the former Cornwall College soloist has clearly not lost his love for the music and has now joined the ranks of the University Chorale. His version of Ol’ Man River, was certainly Paul Robeson-esque. This Gershwin standard was given the deep, soulful treatment it deserves and young Gray should be proud of his efforts.

The University Singers wrapped the evening with a suite entitled, Ode to Prof. Singers favourite Jhana Williams, was again at her performing best. With I Am Seeking For A City, Williams added a level of drama to the presentation as she commenced at the chapel’s west door and made her way up centre aisle, stopping periodically to interact with the audience while belting this Negro Spiritual.

The spirituals continued with the medley Hush/ Come By Here. The latter was taken to new heights by the Singers with Kristal Morgan on lead. Movement was added and the music segued into Highlife — that African genre characterised by an uptempo beat.

The Hallelujah Chorus (A Soulful Celebration) by Quincy Jones would bring the evening of celebration to a fitting hand-clapping, foot-stomping end.

— Richard Johnson