Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

From left: Charmaine Gayle, Dr Ross Gruhlke, budding concert pianist Hansel Scott, and Lily Anderson, following Scott's recital. - Photo by Claude Fletcher

Luvs, it did rain cats and dogs in some places, but for my word, it most certainly did not stop the partying!

Dovecakes, from Kingston straight through to Ocho Rios, through the hills of Montego Bay and on to Paradise Park in glorious Savanna-la-Mar, and on to risqué Negril, it was one glorious weekend, and then some! And what made it even better was the absolutely marvellous weather that graced the proceedings along the way.

Perched high above the bustling beaches and streets of the fabulous city and tourism mecca that is Montego Bay, lies one of the island's best-kept secrets, a place so fine it is revered by those who have had the distinct pleasure of visiting, even more so by those who have actually stayed.

We are talking hallowed grounds here, as the place is not only off the beaten path, but once there, you can't help bet revel in the beauty and naturalness of it all. This is as far as you can get from a traditional outing as there is! It is, however, a glorious glimpse of paradise in its natural state as the added features make it that much more spectacular, and a true beauty to behold.

Talk about passion! Talk about artistry! Talk about inspirational! They are all rolled into one fabulous package in a dream location, practically in the middle of nowhere, but in a place made famous (at least in the literary world) by the great American author, Alex Haley, and named, interestingly enough - Mountambrin.

Charming guest house

About a mile from Montego Bay and some five or so miles away from Savanna-la-Mar, Mountambrin is reportedly the Jamaican retreat of the late prolific author of the mega best-selling tome Roots, which, according to local folklore, was actually penned (or parts thereof) at this retreat.

It was acquired by Savanna-la-Mar-based ophthalmologist, American Dr Ross Gruhlke, some 33 years ago. The original property and structure has been converted into a charming little guest house type of operation, the spacious grounds transformed into one gigantic themed art gallery of sorts, with murals, sculpture and paintings and all things artistic, sporting an observation tower and a marvellously created and facilitated theatre gallery.

In short, the place is a fabulous artist colony. The twist here being there are primarily only two artists in residence: the prolific Dr Gruhlke himself - his paintings are nothing but deeply arresting - and the other artist being sculptor extraordinaire Lesbert Lee, a monumentally gifted artist, whose ability to transform inanimate objects into desired works makes him a master! Anyway, my dears, we do digress, as last Saturday afternoon, Dr Gruhlke was not the featured act, as top-billing was young, aspiring concert pianist Hansel Scott.

Piano recital

At 16, young Hansel Scott is a student of Maud McLeod High School in Darliston, Westmoreland, who discovered his passion for music under the tutelage of music teachers Charmaine Gayle and Lily Anderson. With their help and guidance and the patronage of Dr Gruhlke, he has successfully attained passes in grades 1, 2 and 3 of the Royal School of Music Examination, and continues pursuing further studies in the hope of becoming his dream - a world-famous concert pianist.

Last Saturday evening Master Hansel Scott made his debut on the stage of music with a piano recital at the Mountambrin Theatre, to a near capacity audience that included his peers, tutors, school friends and family, and it made for a most entertaining affair.

With guests at ease and browsing, it was some time after 7:30 p.m. that the concert actually got under way. There was no denying the professionalism thrown into the organisation, as the seating arrangement, though largely informal, created an air of intimate camaraderie that made for a good audience. And when MC Bryan Whyte took to the stage to introduce the evening's star, there was no escaping the enormity of the occasion.

Favouring theatricality

Luvs, it was a shy, half-smiling Scott who took the stage, suitably attired for the appointed task, and acknowledged his audience with a bow before seating himself at the concert grand piano, and his debut on the concert stage.

Well, dears, to say he had the audience eating out of his hands from the very get-go would be too simplistic an explanation for what was clearly a loving and sympathetic audience, more than willing to embrace the fledgling, but yet burgeoning talent of one of their own. And feeding from their positive energy and love, young Master Scott did not disappoint as, clearly favouring theatricality, he made the piano come alive to the sounds of Franz Schubert - Ecossaise No. 8 D299 - his opening number. He segued into Sonata in B Flat, before introducing two of his own compositions - The 21st, and Opportunity (two marvellous pieces that deserve a second listening to, for full appreciation) before moving into Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude in F Major and ending his debut with Bach's Toccata in D Minor to roaring applause.

Musical scholarship

The young pianist thanked his teachers, family and audience for their support, and in doing so showed true snatches of greatness in his humility. He promised to continue his quest by seeking to further his musical education, pursuing a musical scholarship at one of the world's leading institutions.

There is no denying that, nervous though he was throughout his entire performance, young Scott showed patches of raw talent that, if honed properly through schooling, could become a major musical force, and in this respect is deserving of support.

The evening did not stop with his performance, however, as it was dedicated to the arts and music, and it was not long before things took on a different complexion, as the Count Lebbeh Mento Band transformed the atmosphere from the studious to the celebratory, with a number of calypso and mento favourites, not to mention traditional folk songs, that saw a number of guests getting their groove on.

Among those out for the occasion included: grandfather to the budding concert pianist Samuel Scott, his father Ensom Scott; his teachers Charmaine Gayle and Lily Anderson; Peter Fraser; Selena Seaton and daughter Camille Seaton; Claude Fletcher; Jennifer Johnson; Denny Davis; Barbara Walters; Dr David Lambert Brown; Bevine Griffiths; Kashif Brown; the charming Carone Spence; Dudley Moxam; Leroy Neil, plus many others.