The penultimate edition of Jazz N Cabaret, dubbed Ivories in Konversations, took place inside the gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in St Andrew last Sunday. More than a display of keyboard artistry by renowned masters of the instrument, it was an enthralling musical potpourri with performances covering reggae/dancehall, R&B, soul and jazz.

After the OZoune-led Ponfyah Band got things off to a groovy start, Ricardo Suave lived up to his name by crooning I Who Have Nothing. With his velvet voice, urbane attitude and elegant attire, he delivered riveting renditions of H old Me Tight, Little Green Apples, Mack The Knife, Delilah, and Lonely. The last song was a tribute to dancehall singer Sanchez, Suave’s biggest influence.

The well-received menu of contemporary music and traditional jazz continued with Courtni (daughter of singer Karen Smith and her husband, bass player Jackie Jackson) who delighted the audience with her alluring vocals. She excited with her take on Baltimore, Lady Marmalade, her original My Type, and Bye Bye Black Bird.

The first of the night’s keyboardists, Andrae Campbell, took little time to create a storm with selections ranging from vintage jazz to contemporary such as Wiggie Bop, Christopher Dream and Bouncing Stride.

Mario Evon gave another outstanding stint built around soul classics; Ribbon In The Sky, Thinking Out Loud, Let’s Get It On, Unchained Melody, Turn Your Lights Down Low and Walk Away From Love.

The audience got to see another side of respected session player Robbie Lyn. Accompanied by saxophonist Dean Fraser, Lyn doubled on keyboards and harmonica. He began with Billy Paul’s cheating anthem Me and Mrs Jones, followed by Love Don’t Love Nobody, More Today Than Yesterday, and Strangejah Cole’s Ruff and Tuff.

Andrew Tosh was extremely disappointing. The flow of the evening was disrupted as he could not make up his mind what he wanted to do: sing or play the piano in tribute to his iconic father Peter Tosh.

On a brighter note, Dennis Rushton put things back on track by showing off his prowess on the keyboards with his execution of The Sound of Music, Blue Bossa and Fever — he was accompanied by his wife on this Peggy Lee classic.

Gem Myers gave her customary awesome display. She brought the curtains down in fine style with Worn Out Broken Heart, Mr Melody, My Love (I Got Love On My Mind), Miss You Like Crazy, Respect, Say A Little Prayer For You, Natural Woman, and Heart Breaker.

—Basil Walters