And indeed, it was another command performance on Saturday as the diva delivered a reading of Stephen Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns" (from A Little Night Music) that might surely have made Glynis Johns (who originally sang the tune on Broadway) raise applause. The number was made even more masterful by the intuitively understated accompaniment by Orville Hammond on paino, Lynn Seaton on bass and Desi Jones on drums.
That song and her whole set lifted all that had passed before, including the Edna Manley vocal ensemble's rendition of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" and the always excellent Michael Sean Harris' 'Jinji".
It also paved the way for a fine combo performance from trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, working out his predilection for Jamaica music along with Ibo Cooper in the piano chair, Seaton and Jones, on the bass and drums respectively. In addition to a Rico Rodriguez number they unfurled a stirring "Round Midnight".
The msuic was ably complimented by on-site paintings by visual arts students of the Edna Manley College as well as a photyo gallery of jazz greats, Jamaican and international furnished by Jamaica Music Museum director Herbie Miller, from his personal collection.
