Sensational jazz triumphs at Nanny Cay beach despite rains
Though it rained heavily earlier, the audience grew steadily into the hundreds as if in defiance of the threatening and overcast skies. The music was well worth the effort that the fans put in to attend the show.
“We’ve been planning for this our whole life,” said Dalan Vanterpool of the D Spot Jazz band. Vanterpool was half of the saxophonist lead of a group that included Kamau Georges and featured a number of other performers on drums, keyboards, guitar and other instruments.
The two expressed that they were trying to prepare for the moment where they could actually start “bringing this stuff home and making a difference right here in the BVI.”
The Bayside Rhythms event had begun to go through its planning stages as early November, 2012 and the show was essentially a collaborative effort between the locally based D Spot Jazz group and US based Global Venture Consultants.
“Our take on jazz is, we’re not about to do the slow jazz that you think you’re hearing, we’re going to put a jazz spin on all kinds of things you wouldn’t think of,” said Vanterpool about the eclectic mix that was played on stage. This was no more evident than in the band’s first offering of the 2013 soca hit, 'Differentology' by Bunji Garlin. The transitions flowed seamlessly from there as they mixed things up with some old school and new school jams.
Earth Wind and Fire’s ‘Get Away’ as well as ‘And the Beat Goes On’ by The Whispers were deftly mixed between reggae, soul and R&B hits as the group took the audience through a medley of songs.
“One of the things we’re trying to let people know is that jazz is everything,” Vanterpool noted, “…whatever you like is jazz.”
Georges related that everyone needs a bridge and explained that the number of people that showed an appreciation for the genre was astonishing after first hearing the band play. “You don’t know how many fans we’ve gotten that tell us, ‘I didn’t know I liked jazz until I heard you… we’ve gotten that so many times.’” He added that jazz was very much about freedom and not putting persons in a box.
Vanterpool stated, “We’re trying to move from just performing music, this is so much bigger than just performing music, this is about exposing the BVI and the entire Caribbean to a culture that is very dear to our heart, this jazz culture…”
Georges said the band put together entirely music and a whole new vibe for the show and everyone in the band was committed and excited about the performance last evening. “The fans came out and we put it down,” he added.
The band is also currently working on scholarship programmes that will help the music department at the Elmore Stoutt High School to get children off the streets. “We’re doing a lot more to promote the music and also the fine arts throughout the whole Caribbean, that’s what this is about.”
As its headline act, the show featured award winning trumpeter Joey Sommerville out of Atlanta, Georgia in the USA. Joey performed with his band, ‘The Get Down Club’ and they surely did not disappoint with an incredible set as well. Sommerville strode onstage blowing on his trademark red trumpet and immediately had the audience enraptured.
Vanterpool described Sommerville as a phenomenal trumpet player and world class act.
According to Sommerville, “Music is not about the notes on the page, it is a spiritual medium for communication between souls.” He added, “It doesn’t matter what note it is, it’s about the feeling and the intent.”
Described as eclectic and innovative, Sommerville has performed with a number of famous artists around the world and his experience truly showed throughout his performance.
Earlier, the audience was riveted by the mesmerizing voice and sound of jazz pianist and vocalist, Chanda Leigh. Much of her set was played through light showers, as patrons braved the heavy rains and sat under awnings or umbrellas to relish the scintillating sounds that emanated from the stage.
‘Comfort Food’ was one of the many songs that Leigh sang and she was even recalled for an encore during the performance of d Spott Jazz.
Two audience members, Dawn Brewley and her daughter Creightanya, expressed that they enjoyed the show tremendously. Creightanya disclosed that she was doing a critique of the show for a school project and her mother, Dawn said she simply loved to hear Dalan and Kamau play.
Guest appearances also came from the VI’s very own Ouida and a few other performers.
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11 Responses to “Sensational jazz triumphs at Nanny Cay beach despite rains”
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The Bayside Rhythms event had a nice blend of many jazz styles. I think this a great introduction for a country where jazz is barely heard. If they came straight out the gate with some heavy straight ahead before people even have an appreciation for the genre would just push them away and confuse folks. I'm sure the music will come around to showcase your narrow understading of jazz as well. Any real musician would have hear that the cat who perform do have real chops, to play "real jazz". Give it a little time. In the meanwhile, relax and enjoy the muisc.
"If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know." (Louis Armstrong)
- Peace, love and good music!