IT’S been 20 years of Jazz In The Gardens at the Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston, but there has never been one of such improvisational prowess as last Sunday.

Backed by Desi Jones and Friends, the artistes shone brightly on what was dubbed ‘Jazz ‘N’ Cabaret.

Opening the event was Nina Karle with a gem of a performance, doing classics from Nina Simone whose Christian name she adopted. Those included Feeling Good, My Baby Just Care For Me on which she improvised, ‘Lady Saw is not his style, not even D’ Angel’s smile. My baby just care for me’.

Karle was also impressive on I Put A Spell On You and Love TKO.

Things just got better. The most stellar performance came from Rojjah, a singer/songwriter born Rodger Mendez.

He illuminated the garden setting with his resplendent black and gold attire, and high-energy reggae set. Though recovering from recent throat surgery, Rojjah hit the right notes with The Harder They Come, Iron, Lion Zion, Could You Be Love, Right Where We Are, To Love Somebody, Trapped and his recent release Day By Day.

Montana also had vocal issues which curtailed his rendition of A House Is Not a Home. He redeemed himself however with Keep Forgetting, Could It Be I am Falling in Love and Let’s Stay Together.

Ian Andrews was scintillating. His delivery of My One and Only Love and Tom Jones’ Wonderful Sound was impressive, but the former sportscaster outdid himself on Louie Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World, the jazz standard Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps and The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody.

A glowing stint came from A’ Lisa whose blend of soul and gospel hit the mark. She did mesmerising performances of One Day I’ll Fly Away, Hallelujah, Next to Me, Old Friends, I’m Missing You and Summertime.

Christine Fisher, who appeared on the first Jazz In the Gardens 20 years ago, has not lost her spark. She is as effervescent and her virtuosity is intact.

Supported by her husband Alex Martin Blanken on keyboards, her endurance was reflected in renditions of I Got Rhythm, Troubling Mind, My Funny Valentine, Trying Times and Give Me One Reason to Stay Here.

Before the curtains came down, organisers of Jazz In The Gardens made a donation to Best Care Foundation and the Elsie Bemand Home for Girls. The presentation was made to board chairman Venita Walker by Errol Lewin, director of Ojay Koolers Limited, sponsors of the show.

— Basil Walters