Production team was overwhelmed and grateful at the virtual turn-out and support

The organisers of the just concluded Jamaica Jazz & Blues Virtual edition say the event was a hit, expressing pleasure at the final product, which was enjoyed by music lovers across the digital world.

Co-executive producer of the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, Marcia McDonnough remarked that, “It’s absolutely fabulous. We are so thrilled. This was a long road and at a point we didn’t know if we would get to the end of the road, but here we are. It has been so satisfying. Hearing the comments, seeing how everybody has been enjoying themselves, just seeing the performances come together as one thing and really shining… .”

Speaking last Saturday night with Terri-Karelle Reid, the host of the final night of the three-night event, McDonnough said the production team was overwhelmed and grateful for the virtual turn-out and support. Night three saw performances from the classical and jazz ensemble Caje, the Teddyson John Project from St Lucia, Trinidad’s Freetown Collective, Zia Benjamin, Janine Jkuhl, Tesselated, Sevana, John Secada and Richie Stephens.

Tribute to ‘Toots’ Hibbert and Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart

In addition to the music and performances, the programme also included a tribute to veteran musician the late Toots Hibbert and a special moment of silence for the late hotelier and businessman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, under whose stewardship the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival (as it was known then) was first staged in 1996. Saturday’s showcase also included the feature Circle Jamaica in which Richie Stephens guided viewers through some of Jamaica’s popular attractions including Fern Gully, Appleton Estate and Negril’s famous Rick’s Café.

As it was one the two previous nights the comment section of the festival’s various social media pages was abuzz, as patrons weighed in on the festival in general and the performances in particular. On Saturday night the comments section came alive during the performance by local singer, Sevana.

Her set ignited the fans and patrons and they were not afraid to express it.“Sev is gawjus lawd jeez,” noted one patron. “Tek time wid we Sev,” said another. Mi sorry fi anybody weh never get fi see this,” another patron shared while owner of the festival Walter Elmore declared “awesome”.

Sevana stole the show with her performances

Sevana’s set had the virtual audience buzzing from the moment she stepped on the stage wearing a black bustier and jacket teamed with jeans and her trademark chocolate-coloured skin simply glowing. She drew some of the popular singles such as Be Somebody, Phone a Friend, If You Only Knew, Blessed, Mango and Bit Too Shy.

From his impressive playlist Secada pulled If You Go, I’m Free, Angel and Just Another Day. He also included Georgia On My Mind, the classic which has been made popular by Ray Charles, James Brown, Willie Nelson and more. Jamaican vocalist, Richie Stephens would bring the curtains down displaying great showmanship covering a number of the genres and styles of Jamaican music in which he has had success.

His set list included Colour of Love, Fight Back, Maniac, Weakness for Sweetness, Born a Winner, Thanks You Lord, and Live your Life. His performance also included an appearance by 80s deejay Little Lenny.

The 2021 staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival was sponsored by entities including the Jamaica Tourist Board, MasterCard, Appleton, Walkerswood, Pepsi and Flow and others.