The December 20 moon shone brightly over the Ambassador Theatre, located on Collie Smith Drive in Trench Town, as if to put a spotlight on the seventh staging of the Christmas Joy in the Bass, hosted by the Joytown Community Development Foundation. 

‘Easter Joy in the Bass’ premiered in March of this year.

The non-government organisation, led by retired Major Richard Cooke, has been working for the past 22 years with residents of the area to implement several social intervention programmes aimed at improving their lives.

Under clear skies and with cool temperatures, the open-air legendary amphitheatre provided a comfortable setting for the near capacity crowd which built up following a 6:30 pm start.

Produced by the Tommy Cowan-led Glory Music, a number of the island’s popular gospel performances, most of whom were born or raised in the area, rocked the crowd of young and matured patrons.

The concert opened with backing band, The Right Band, on stage in preparation to back first-time performers of the Trench Town Talent Exposure, who didn’t disappoint. 

That segment began with a dance from Roneca, followed by singers Jason Davidson, Pessoa, Treinelle Robinson, Life Well, Mikaela and J. Written. In fact, Mikaela’s performance of ‘Oh Holy Night’ had the audience on their feet, with an encore cry which saw her repeating the last verse of the song.

Dr. Henley Morgan, founder of AIR, praised Joy Town for its work and said that it was a privilege to help up and coming artistes and to join with Joy Town in showcasing them at this event. He then gave an update on the work being carried out by his organisation in the under-resourced community. 

Next on the programme was a tribute to Lorna Stanley, founder of the Operation Restoration Christian School, in Trench Town, for her outstanding work in the community which was given by her former assistant Fay Fisher of the Unity of Faith Christian Church, in Flint, Michigan, USA and Robert Dixon, the current Principal of Operation Restoration Christian School.

Carey Sayles’ high energy set with ‘Oh Come Let us Adore Him’, ‘Blessed and Highly Favoured’,  ‘Waymaker’, ‘Warrior Medley’ and ‘Sweet Medley Ska’ had the audience swaying and moving to the beat. And the six-member acapella group, Humble, kept the crowd excited with a medley of ‘If I Had Wings Of A Dove’, ‘Roll Jordan Roll’, ‘Suppose We Don’t Meet’ and ‘Walk Holy’.

Top international gospel performer Carlene Davis was next on stage and delivered a mixed set, including ‘Santa Claus Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto’ and ‘Put Christ Back Into Christmas’. The up-tempo song, ‘The Assignment’ – done Bob Marley style-  resonated with the crowd, so did ‘We Don’t Need No More Trouble’ and ‘The ‘Goodness of God’.

Major Richard Cooke, founder of the Joy Town Community Development Foundation, together with Tommy Cowan, presented a tribute to the late Ziggy Soul for his contribution to the musical development and community work in Trench Town.  His wife, Marlene Beckford, travelled from the United States to attend the Christmas Joy in the Bass.

Dynamo performer and recently baptised Alaine was a hit with her rendition of ‘Boast Inna God’, ‘Hallelujah’, ‘This Christmas’ and ‘Bye Bye Bye’. She premiered her new single “Old Time Religion” which warned about gossiping and the audience sang along.

Pastor Marcus Williams of New Life Open Bible Church, Denham Town, brought the Word under the theme ‘Seek The Lord While He May Be Found’. Many in the audience responded to his altar call to get to know Jesus  as they celebrate his birth during the Chritmas Season. 

Then it was time for the international gospel singing sensation Kevin Downswell and at the sound of the first note the crowd scurried to the front of the stage.  His set included the ever popular ‘Grace’, ‘If It’s Not You’, ‘Carry Me’ and ‘Stronger’. And he assured the residents of Trench Town that God was creating sources of income to help them fulfil their purpose.

Then he presented a MacBook Pro each to two young men who shared their dream of owning the devices of work at earlier this year at the inaugural staging of ‘Easter Joy in the Bass’.