Throughout his performance at the ‘Evening of Elegance’ show last Saturday at NYCB Theater in Westbury in Long Island, Beres Hammond referred to the audience as his “loyal and royal fans”. Their rapturous response was similar to that of subjects to a king.

Hammond and his 11-piece band gave an outstanding performance, complemented by solid interludes from saxophonist Dean Fraser, jazz pianist Monty Alexander, Stephen “Cat” Coore on cello, and violinist Brooke Alford.

A full house (2,800) turned out in chilly conditions to see the 68-year-old Hammond, who belted out a remarkable 25 hit songs. He started with the ballad One Step Ahead and closed with Rockaway, a tribute to his musical heroes.

Following the show — which was promoted by Jamaican George Crooks and monitored by LiveNation — Hammond told the Jamaica Observer that he fed off the audience’s energy.

“When mi si Dean dem, an’ Monty dem an’ Cat, an’ di fans, mi jus’ get a little energy from dem ’cause dem is di last of di great musicians. What I count is di blessings, an’ mi love dat. All I wanted to know is my voice was in shape suh mi can meet di people’s demands,” he said.

Hammond walked down memory lane in the show’s first half. He reflected on a career that was discouraged by his father in Annotto Bay, St Mary, but encouraged by a mother who recognised his talent and sent him to Kingston where he tried his luck.

One Step Ahead and I’m in Love had the audience humming, but once the band struck up No Goodbye, it was non-stop ‘rockers’. What One Dance Can Do, Come Back Home, Step Aside, There For You, I Feel Good, and Tempted to Touch set the pace for Fraser whose refreshing interpretations of ska, folk, and roots-reggae standards were well-received.

Alexander, who preceded Hammond on-stage, returned on harmonica for a delightful clash of folk and rub-a-dub songs with Fraser.

Coore was sharp on cello. The high point of his performance was a poignant rendition of I Pledge my Heart in tribute to actress Leonie Forbes, who died on October 25.

Hammond returned to close the evening with a flourish, built around Love From A Distance, Double Trouble, Putting up Resistance, Play Some More, They Gonna Talk, and Full Attention.

Beres Hammond is scheduled to close his 2022 live shows on December 3 in Nassau, The Bahamas.