THE Blue Essence Lounge in Kings Plaza, St Andrew, recently expanded its live series from one to two nights. Tuesdays, designated for mainstream reggae acts, is now complemented by ‘Real Jazz and Blues Nights’ on Fridays.

The latter showcases artistes with a more soulful sound.

Singer Orville ‘Bagga’ Case lived up to his star billing on January 23. The former Home T member was in fine vocal form, putting on a show honed by his many years in the music business.

Most of his set was devoted to standards such as The O Jays’ Heavenly Father, Johnny Mathis’ A Certain Smile and Gina, the Brazilian bossa nova classic Girl From Ipanema, Somewhere Beyond the Sea by Bobby Darin, Gershwin’s Summertime, and the John Holt signature Stranger in Love, in tribute to the lover’s rock icon who died in October.

Andrew Francis, who performed twice, gave an excellent rendition of The Spinners’ Could It Be I’m Falling In Love.

Promoter and Blue Essence Lounge proprietor Mike Whitelock, a former trombonist with the Sonny Bradshaw Seven and Jamaica Chorale, commented on the venue’s extended live programme.

“The aim is to bring back the love and unity with live music which we started in April 2008 with Boris Gardiner,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

— Basil Walters