Jazzpoint 2009, Trinidad on a quest of talent discovery – and re-discovery

Trinidad

Jazzpoint, a “community effort (that) acts as a facilitator of a unique Jazz experience”  in Trinidad, bowled off on Saturday, May 16 at Naparima Bowl, San Fernando.  The three-hour event attracted J-Fans from around Trinidad to be part of the “harvest, exposure and enjoyment” of the disparate, cultural elements (African, Chinese, European and Indian) that define the twin-island nation.

Established in 1999 as a fringe event on the third weekend of May, Jazzpoint has Jazz at its core in all of its Afro-Caribbean incantations, Pan-Jazz, Calypso-Jazz, Reggae-Jazz, and Folk-Jazz.

The artists chosen to explore these diversities this year were guitarist Larry Lee Luck, pannist Jason Baptiste and the legendary trumpeter Errol Ince, who is enjoying a resurgence in the Jazz and Calypso-Jazz market.  Not that Ince ever ‘went away.’

The Errol Ince Quartet (and guests) ended up being the main act at Jazzpoint 09 after what the producers referred to as the “unavoidable absence” of St. Lucia’s Ronald “Boo” Hinkson.  The Quartet engaged the varied audience with a range of Jazz standards including the much appreciated patron pleaser, Killer Joe (Quincy Jones) and The Journey (Herbie Hancock).

Errol Ince (trumpet) with Earl Caruth (sax)

Keyboardist Leston Paul was a standout by virtue of the quality of the solo spaces that he filled as a co-conspirator during Ince’s rendition of Killer Joe on the one hand and the jaw-dropping lead role that he took on Lord Kitchener’s (Aldwin Roberts) Pan in A Minor.

Leston Paul

For the grand finalé, the Quartet of Ince, Paul, Billy Jo Saunders (six string bass) and Vonrick Maynard (drums) were joined on stage by guitarist Theron Shaw and saxophonist Earl Caruth to execute their take of “Old Lady Walk a Mile and a Half“ to see off the Naparima Bowl crowd.

But the revelation of Jazzpoint 2009 was guest artist and opening act Larry Luck.  A student of Earl Klugh and Stanley Clarke, Luck’s distinct style doubtless left a lasting impression in the minds of all in attendance.

Larry Lee Luck

Jason Baptiste confirmed his place as a master of double tenor pan, playing as he does with four sticks.   His performance on the night was the culmination of the experience gained with French guitarist, Daniel Givone, at “Jazz in Longouria” (France, 2008) and with his own band at the 22nd Saint- Giles-De-Vie International Jazz Festival (France in 2005).

Jason Baptiste (double tenor pans)

As an added note of interest, the latest BOSE L1 Line Array Sound System Technology was in full effect at Jazzpoint.

Jazzpoint 10 is scheduled for Saturday 15 May 2010.

Text and Image source: Jazzpoint