ON Monday night, saxman Arturo Tappin knew just what to do with a roomful of women… he blew the house down.

The Barbadian is no stranger to Jamaica, having performed in Jamaica on many occassions including this year’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Trelawny. He was the featured act at the Women’s Leadership Initiative fundraiser at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in St Andrew.

From the fanfare-like opening notes of Earth Wind and Fire’s In the Stone, it was evident the night would be a memorable one.

Known for his wide repertoire and his backing trio on bass, drums and keyboards, Tappin promised something that everyone can relate to, from jazz fusions to R&B, pop and reggae. And he did just that by the end of the night.

The selections included Tappin’s take on Rupee’s Tempted to Touch, Michael Jackson’s Bad and Smooth Criminal, Maroon 5’s Moves Like Jagger, Green Light by Andre 3000 and John Legend, Bruno Mars’ Treasure, and Chandelier by Sia.

Lovers of ’70s/’80s soul music were in for a treat as Tappin drew on the popular Through The Fire by Chaka Khan to kick off this segment. He would opt for vocals rather than sax, singing Betcha By Golly Wow by the Stylistics. This drew applause from the audience. The vocal presentations would continue with his keyboard player Andre Daniels offering a soulful version of the jazz standard The Nearness of You.

The tempo upped with a groovy, jazz-inspired reggae versions of Impossible and Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White as well as creole music from the Caribbean Islands of Dominica and St Lucia.

The entertainment value of the evening took on new meaning when he brought on Simona Saure — an 11-year-old with the big voice. She would thrill the audience and earn a standing ovation for her interpretation of The Greatest Love of All, made popular by Whitney Houston and Adele’s current hit single Hello.

Tappin would respond with Lionel Richie’s Hello before wrapping up an enjoyable evening of great music.