Janet Silvera, Gleaner Writer
James Ingram shakes hands with some of his fans during his performance on the final night of Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival at Cinnamon Hill, Montego Bay on Saturday. - PHOTOS BY CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WESTERN BUREAU:
JAMES INGRAM brought climax to the foreplay created by Air Supply, while Patti LaBelle exuded sexy and seductive diva power on the closing night of the 10th annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.
Twenty thousand patrons packed into the Montego Bay Cinnamon Hill venue on Saturday night, doubling the previous nights' numbers, as both the legendary R&B artiste LaBelle and Grammy award winning Ingram ruled with supremacy.
WORTH THE TRIP
The two were complemented by scintillating performances from the English born Maxi Priest and Motown's rising star Kem Owens.
Reaching the venue was a two hour bottleneck drive from downtown Montego Bay, and another half an hour of pushing to get through the thick crowd to get to the front of the stage, but when the dapper looking Ingram graced the stage with his number one hit I Don't Have The Heart, the trip for many was worth every minute.
Ingram paid special attention to the women in the audience, and within seconds the screams and cries, 'oohs and aahs' echoed throughout the hillside of the Golf Course. He had fun on stage, teasing and massaging the appetites of those compelled to hold on to every word.
When he sang I Want You, a woman at the front of the stage responded affectionately offering herself freely, hoping to entice him with the words "I want you too, James."
With his soulful, rich sounds, Ingram literally made sweet sensation, shaking his 'booty' occasionally. Ingram was like a house of fire, not easily cooled. He scorched beautifully, creating magic with his exceptional stage appearance.
An hour into his act he had delivered hit after hit, including Just Once, One Hundred Ways', It's Your Night' and Somewhere Out There.
HIGH ENERGY LABELLE
Ingram was the prelude to the high energy LaBelle, who made her way on stage in a striking red micro mini dress.
LaBelle, 61, diabetic and menopausal, used the first few minutes of her performance to tell of her life with her ex-husband (she was married 32 years) and her interesting time with hot flashes. An incredible way to break the ice, the quintessential queen gave a masterful performance that lifted her devoted fans into musical ecstasy.
Within five minutes of her entrance she called back Ingram on stage for a combination of the song Baby Come To Me. No mistake, this blend lit the furnace that continued to blaze throughout her performance.
LaBelle brought a voltage that ignited the men in the audience, and knowing she had succeeded she used the opportunity to introduce the exciting and suggestive Voulez Cou Cou Chez which required the assistance of three hot men from the audience.
A STAR WAS BORN
Brave Member of Parliament Mike Henry, a Caymanian visitor and young Montegonian Cory Frankson, answered the call.
Mike Henry, with obvious combustion in his loins had the audience in stitches and without doubt proved that a star was born.
Unlike James who came for the women, LaBelle delivered to the men. She later paid tribute to the late Luther Vandross; with tears in her eyes she sang Here and Now and ended kissing up towards the heavens.
LaBelle completed an unforgettable show of prowess with a fitting tribute to the audience, People and Good Times.
Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues lived up the standard that great shows are made of.
