TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
“Women in Jazz” took center stage at the Fiesta Plaza, Movie Towne, Port of Spain on Saturday, April 02, 2011. Each Saturday in April, a month that has become synonymous with Jazz in Trinidad and Tobago, a different female artiste brings her own creativity to the Jazz genre in the most exciting, al fresco entertainment center in Trinidad.
For the first 2011 edition of Women in Jazz, the featured singer was Brenda Butler, backed by the Clifford Charles Quartet.
Nigel Campbell, the Blackberry Bro was on hand and thumbed this commentary, which was pulled down from cyberspace by the WEC, decoded and transposed in the Woodshed. Here goes…
If the people would only stop walking aimlessly and concentrate on this diva’s voice, they would come to the conclusion, as I have, that Corinne Bailey-Rae never sounded so sweet. Fiesta Plaza is Brenda’s plate for the choosing. Bad analogy, I know, but you get my meaning. Kudos to Clifford Charles & Trio: David Richards, Deryck Cadogan, Sean Friday.
This is like a Miss Patti concert! Belt baby belt!
“I Will Survive,” the ultimate female anthem of empowerment, is butter for Brenda. Look, this is too easy; there is nothing more for me to say – good night.
Next up at Movie Towne was The Jazz Singer Vaughnette Bigford with her band made up of leader Theron Shaw (guitar), Modupe Onilu (percussion), Jesse Ryan (saxophone), Gerion Williams (drums) and Rodney Alexander (bass).
Nigel Campbell, the Blackberry Bro was on hand and thumbed this commentary, which was pulled down from cyberspace by the WEC, decoded and transposed in the Woodshed. Here goes…
Let me begin by saying that Vaughnette Bigford represents a transition from a lounge singer to a jazz singer, one who understands the orthodoxy of this genre and delivers without being fraudulant.
Exhibit A, Pharoah Saunders’ “The Creator Has A Master Plan.” Vaughnette’s smoky voicing gives this lament for unknown possibilities remarkable substance, her backing band swinging to perfection too.
Then V does Al Jarreau? What’s next, Kenny G with words?! Marketing is a hell of a thing, oui; this Fiesta Plaza crowd laps up this Jarreau classic; you can tell V knows her audience and set a specific playlist to suit.
After Lana Richardson, V’s mentee, allows The Jazz Singer a short respite during “Gee, Ain’t I Good To You,” V returns to the stage singing Kalyan’s “Can You Love Me As Much As I Love You.” Take that! Believe you me, song choices will make or break any singer. On this score, V wins with any audience.
Stagecraft is a hell of a thing too. Either you have it or not. Here it is ,V vacates the stage again! Young Richardson, a singer with a beautiful voice, takes her place for a bit and forgets she’s singing to a live audience.
Without missing a beat, V promptly recaptures her audience with Jobim’s “Dindi” – tropical magic. Bossa’s best wrote this song for singers from hot latitiudes. Vaughnette more than qualifies as a carrier of the tune.
Merchant’s “Superpower” is a quiet duet with Theron Shaw. Unbelievable! Theron sings!! Fans scream with glee as a star is born!
V closes with a spiritual mentor, Carol Addison’s “Born To Shine.” And the fans take over the aisles dancing to the strains of The Jazz Singer Vaughnette Bigford.
On a personal note, good to see the Songbirds: Ruth, Candice, Brenda, Glenda and Niquet supporting their sister.
V concurred with a similar sentiment, posted on her Facebook Page: “The best part of the show for me…was seeing all the SONGBIRDS and so many other musicians. We need to support each other more; it’s a way for us to take this movement forward.”
One night’s rest later, Vaughnette Bigford makes a guest appearance together with pannist Mikhail Salcedo and The Alternative Quartet at the Dayo Bejide Jazz Project Presents – “CoMJAZz” (Comedy andJazz) fundraiser for its leader, percussionist Modupe Folasade Onilu. Onilu is preparing to go off to Berklee College of Music in Boston. The venue for this fundraiser is La Casa de Ibiza Lounge, Woodbrooke, Trinidad.
Starting at 07:00 pm on Sunday, April 17, the Dayo Bejide Project represented The Jazz at CoMJAZz while Princes Town comedian and dramatist Darryl “Doza” Mendoza did the funny. DBP is Onilu, bassist Rodney Alexander, D Seconds pannist Nigel Supersad and saxophonist Jesse Ryan.
Glenda Collens returned to the “Women in Jazz” series for 2011 at the Courtyard, Fiesta Plaza, Movietowne Entertainment and Shopping Plaza, Audrey Jeffers Highway, Port of Spain, Trinidad, accompanied by her band MEDEA doing songs by Shane Collens in their unique funk ‘n’ soul, jazz ‘n’ rock style.
PAST PERFORMERS IN THE “WOMEN IN JAZZ” SERIES…
- April 02: Brenda Butler
- April 09: Ava Hutchinson
- April 16: Vaughnette Bigford
- April 23 – Glenda Collens
- April 30 – Lady Adanna (Marsha Charles)
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