For three years running the Jam’ In France concert, hosted by French reggae artiste David Cairol and French Ambassador Olivier Guyonvarch, has connected local entertainers with French artistes through the magnetic vibrations of reggae music. This year, the event, held at the French Embassy, took things to the highest level with a showcase headlined by King Yellowman.

Though the event got off to a late start, guests were kept fully entertained as long before any performers touched the stage, Scali Oliver, president of United for Jamaica, a non-profit organisation, took control of the consoles and got the vibes flowing. Spinning a slew of reggae favourites, the guests mingled whilst enjoying mixed cocktails courtesy of the open bar.

The live entertainment guests anticipated got underway minutes after 8:00 pm with students from St Jago High School singing an original song, Born Survivors. Accompanied by host David Cairol, who served as the group’s mentor, the group showed off their bilingual abilities as they delivered the single written in both English and French. Cairol, who has been working with students in Jamaica and France on musical projects, said the moment was extra special for him as the students defied several odds, including sporadic violent flair-ups from within their St Catherine-based communities, to complete the track. They received a standing ovation from the crowd for their efforts.

The next act on stage, up-and-coming singer Ojay the Great, thrilled the audience with his vocal ability and lyrical prowess as he performed several original tracks. The audience members allowed themselves to be swept up by his sweet sounds. By the time retired teacher Bijean Gayle took to the stage, the crowd was more than ready to give as much as they had received. And that they did as Gayle serenaded guests one classic reggae hit after another. Performing hits such as Barrington Levy’s Too Experienced and Bitty McLean’s Walk Away From Love, the entertainer wooed guests with his smooth vocals.

He made it easy for father/daughter duo Lymie Murray and Sobah to take the audience to even higher musical heights. The familial chemistry was palpable as Murray declared his daughter as his better side as they performed their duet, Better Side of Me. Guests did not hold back on the applause.

Pleased with the way the concert has grown, Ambassador Guyonvarch told the Jamaica Observer that he is proud of the French-Jamaican connection and how it has blossomed.

“This is fantastic. The idea of a reggae concert here at the French Embassy was always about a friendly gathering to enjoy the music. We started little — likkle but tallawah — then last year was bigger and now this year, as you can see, is even bigger. We have some fantastic artistes, and I think this is the first time that the embassy has had a concert with so many Jamaican and French friends here to celebrate reggae during Reggae Month,” he said.

“This is the time we celebrate the music, the legends who brought us the music, friendship, and the fact that we are all brothers and sisters,” he continued.

Singer Marlon Brown, veteran percussionist Bongo Herman, French artiste Twan Tee, Mo’kalamity, Micah Shemaiah and host David Cairol were among the other standout performers.

There was also a surprise showing from veteran singer Ken Boothe, who showed that his voice was still as strong as ever as he thrilled guests with songs including Everything I Own and Silver Words. The crowd, which included Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange, gave Boothe his ‘flowers’ by showering him with love and adoration through the screams of excitement in-between singing along.

Still, the night belonged to King Yellowman.

Declaring from early out that there was only “one general inna di yard”, Yellowman expressed that he is one of one, a musical anomaly, one that epitomises royalty. Drawing on hits from his illustrious catalogue, Yellowman took the audience on a nostalgic journey. Transporting guests back to an era when music spoke to hearts and captured souls, the entertainer delivered hits such as Blueberry Hill, Fly Away Home, and
Come Back Darling. The crowd’s reaction proved that the veteran deejay still has what it takes to put on a quality performance worthy of the well-sought-after crown some of today’s entertainers crave.