LANCE Whittaker is best known as one of the region’s top sportscasters, but in the ballroom of the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday, he revealed an aspect of his personality that hitherto was unknown.

The veteran sports journalist who has covered five Olympic Games, gave an awesome performance in what was his first major concert appearance as a vocalist.

If you were not a witness to this astonishing musical discovery and thinking that I got the name wrong, or believing that I mistook Whittaker for former sports reporter Ian Andrews, whose ability as a vocalist had embellished this event more than once, that is understandable. You would have had to see it to believe it.

Prior to this, the May staging of the bi-monthly Jazz in the Garden, Whittaker’s stage appearances were mostly confined to staff parties and karaoke in Barbados.

The executive producer for SportsMax personified the theme ‘New Faces of Jazz’.

Whittaker warmed the hearts of his audience, singing James Ingram’s Give Me Forever (I Do), Unchained Melody on which he didn’t just take the notes, but held them for an inordinate length of time like a seasoned trumpeter. He blew everyone’s mind with Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine on which he was even more detailed in his delivery.

The only downside to Whittaker’s mesmerising, two-set performance was that his friend Mikey Whyte, who was instrumental in getting him on the bill, was not around to witness this history-making experience. Whyte, who was on his way from Barbados for the show, had a delayed flight.

What is also interesting, is after such an amazing performance, Lance Whittaker expressed he has no intention of pursuing a career in music. “I was in (my) school choir at Wolmer’s until about third form or so. I have always liked singing, but since I got into the media, I haven’t really pursued it as such. I don’t have any intention to take it anywhere. People tell me that I should try it, but I will leave it to the people who are more talented than me,” he modestly told the Observer with a chuckle.

Among the other new faces to jazz was Patrick Moore, whose talent was discovered on a minibus by a female fan of Jazz in the Garden who was in the audience. He did justice to her in particular and patrons in general with his performance of another Bill Withers’ monster hit Just the Two of Us, Billy Joel’s Just the Way You Are (Don’t Go Changing), Wake Up Everybody among others.

Toni-Ann Baker’s take on Redemption Song was extraordinarily unique. But she was a riot with the old folk favourite Sammy Dead, evoking laughter when she performed it in standard English with an operatic flavour.

Coming in on the A Train, Everton Pesoa was an hit in his dual role as vocalist/trombonist as well as in good measure, a delightful stand-up comic. He was truly amazing switching from one to another. His instrumental rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, to him on vocals giving a enthralling performance of the 1954 popular standard Fly Me to the Moon written by Bart Howard.

Pesoa ended his enlivened set with a medley of folk tunes such as We Shall Have A Grand Time, Amen, Wash All My Troubles (Wash Wash), Wings of a Dove, all of which he alternated on both vocals and trombone.

The crowning jewel of the evening came from the Tamlins. Earning the distinction of being the biggest full fledge reggae act to appear on this 10- year-old jazz event, the 39-year-old trio lived up to their reputation.

From there on, it was indeed as emcee Michael Anthony Cuffe said, “It was a baptism of fire.” On a well-measured set, Carlton Smith, Derrick Lara and Junior Moore gave an extremely mighty performance. From I Wish It Would Rain, the 1967 hit single recorded by the Temptations for the Barry Gordy (Motown) label, the Tamlins sparkled on Go Away Jean, Tink-a-ling, Setting In the Park, Just My Imagination, and of course, Baltimore.