Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer
Reggae artiste Marcia Griffiths is accompanied by Byron Lee, during her tribute to him (Byron Lee) on the final night of Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006 at Cinnamon Hill, in Montego Bay on January 29. Mr. Lee is celebrating his 50th year in the music industry. - CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WESTERN BUREAU:
MONTEGO BAY tilted towards the north from the weight of the Kingstonians who had invaded the town on Saturday night for the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues 50th Anniversary tribute to soca giant Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
Scripted with precision, the closing night of the event was a fantastic end to three incredible nights of musical explosion, lyming, networking, great conversation, gyrating and soul searching.
Approximetly 20,000 patrons packed into the Cinnamon Hill venue, at Rose Hall, in anticipation of the accolades to be presented to the Jamaican musical icon. The audience had already tasted the mind-blowing, soul-stirring performances of James Ingram and diva Patti LaBelle and was ready for more.
MINI-DOCUMENTARY
At 2:00 a.m., the stage re-opened to another type of music made great by the likes of legends Keith Lynn, Ken Lazarus, Arrow, Mighty Sparrow, Marcia Griffiths, Pluto Shervington, Admiral Bailey, Ernie Smith and The Merry Men.
A mini-documentary introduced what was to become two hours of 'nobody leave, nobody go' non-stop fun and excitement, an overture to Carnival. By 4:30 a.m. the appetites were whetted and patrons were salivating on their way home.
The first act, Keith Lynn drew for his 1964 Empty Chairs, and when he opened his larynx, memories of the former Miss World, Joan Crawford came to mind. Empty Chairs was the Jamaican beauty queen's favourite song during that era.
The Dragonnaires led by 'Oscar B' doing Ska Ska Ska, who showcased dance lessons of the island's first musical genre, followed Lynn's rendition. Hips shook, knees twisted and feet went 'footloose'.
This was the precursor to Pluto Shervington's double delivery of Ram Goat Liver and Your Honour, before going down memory lane to the 1976 election hit song, I Man Born Yah.
Shervington had the crowd stomping, clapping and dancing in preparation for the felted hat veteran Ken Lazarus, who in no uncertain terms was still in awe with the girl Cecelia. Lazarus took from his impressive compilation Hail The Man before turning over the stage to first-class calypsonian Arrow.
NO WHITE MEAT
When it was time for the Mighty Sparrow, he came and conquered with Good Morning Mr. Walker and Salt Fish, before long he was instructing the audience to become drunk and disorderly.
The only thing the mighty one disappointed with was the absence of White Meat.
Marcia Griffiths, Admiral Bailey and Ernie Smith followed. Smith in his tribute described Lee as a musical supremacist, who had set the standard that every musician should aspire to.
Air Jamaica, the Jamaica Tourist Board and the RJR Communications Group of companies presented Lee with gifts.
