So far this Reggae Month several of the genre’s leading men have been honoured through musical tributes. But a recent Reggae Wednesday session was all about the queens of reggae.

Several up-and-coming female talents took to the stage at the outdoor amphitheatre at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to pay homage to the women who have impacted the music in ways that have made their legacies unquestionable.

Classic hits from the likes of Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Queen Ifrica, Etana, Dawn Penn, and JC Lodge filled the air as the sweet sounds of reggae enveloped the venue.

Rising to their feet repeatedly the audience did not hesitate to show the young artistes love and support. And deservedly so as the performers held their own in a musical showcase which only proved Jamaica’s rich musical legacy is in safe hands.

From the opening act to the spirited curtain-closer from veteran Nadine Sutherland the evening offered up one expert-level display of talent after the other.

Annae Campbell, the first act of the evening, got things off to a brilliant start with a rendition of JC Lodge’s Make It Up To You before seguing into a version of Dawn Penn’s I Want A Love. Her performance earned her a thunderous applause from the crowd, who were now fired up.

Luckily things kept rising to another level with each set, with the next act, Nick Ika, saluting Queen Ifrica. Pointing out that she was raised on songs from the legendary females she was paying tribute to, Nick Ika said the women in reggae have been a constant source of inspiration for her.

“These are some of the songs I used to listen to religiously growing up. These women have been such an inspiration to my craft and it is an honour to pay homage to the queens of reggae,” she said just before delivering a soulful rendition of Queen Ifrica’s Below The Waist. She then made way for 2011 Digicel Rising Star winner Tash.

A very relaxed Tash took the audience by surprise as her initial entrance did not prepare the crowd for the powerhouse set she ended up delivering. Her original single, Me, Myself and I visibly resonated with the women in the audience, particularly the mothers, as it encouraged them to take necessary breaks to indulge in self-care. By the end of that song Tash had the crowd completely captivated and used that to lead them into a dance party as she performed Stepping Out of Babylon.

She also served up renditions of Griffith’s Dreamland before handing the stage over to saxophonist, Andrene Brown. Holding her own on a line-up which included mostly vocalists, Brown’s performance touched the hearts of every several audience members. Performing renditions of Queen Ifrica’s Lioness on the Rise and JC Lodge’s Someone Loves You, Brown masterfully wooed the crowd, proving that Jamaica’s talent pool flows much deeper than singing.

Janeel Mills, with a medley of popular hits, Joby Jay with an eclectic mix of original tracks and tributes, as well as a versatile display of some tight deejaying skills from Racquel Jones, were also high points from the night. The evening closed out with a performance from the incomparable Nadine Sutherland.

Outlining that she is celebrating 45 years in music, Sutherland thanked her fans for sticking with her throughout her musical journey. Aside from spewing some of her most noted hits, Sutherland’s set paid tribute to Rita Marley, whom she said was instrumental in her claiming her spot in the business.

Saxophonist Andrene Brown punctuates a line-up of vocalists at Reggae Wednesdays.

Joby Jay drops some original tracks at the outdoor amphitheatre at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts

Annae Campbell salutes the likes of JC Lodge and Dawn Penn during her performance at Reggae Wednesdays. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)

Nadine Sutherland performs at a few hits on the Reggae Wednesdays stage. (Photos: Karl Mclarty)

A section of the crowd at the outdoor amphitheatre at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts for the Reggae Wednesdays concert series.

Tash pays respects to Queen of Reggae Marcia Griffiths during her performance at Reggae Wednesdays held at the outdoor amphitheatre at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.