10th Annual Barbados Jazz Festival - Part One

Feature by William Farrington

  

 

 
   
When one contemplates the history of Jazz, one's thoughts usually stray no further south than New Orleans, the city universally known as 'The Birthplace of Jazz'.  However, this past January 2003 Africasounds traveled to the easternmost of the Leeward islands for the 10th Annual Barbados Jazz Festival.  We discovered sights and sounds - white sands, clear blue waters, and the ringing out of the steel pan drums - not immediately associated with this form of music.  Yet here all sounds mingle comfortably, as has been the case each year since the festival's beginning ten years ago.  The festival offered a comparison of the different ways African rhythms were transformed in the Americas.  Throughout, we noticed that  the same cultural elements that formed Jazz also are present in the music of the Caribbean. 

Jazz is Black music.  Born in New Orleans, it has family on every island in the Caribbean.  New Orleans was founded by the French and later held by the Spanish.  The same cultural mix flourished on the islands and to a greater or lesser extent in the various musics found there.  The roots and trunk of this family tree however is found in West Africa.  A hallmark of the Barbados jazz Festival is it's intimacy.  This is in sharp contrast to many of the other festivals we have attended.  The festival enables visitors to hop around to different venues that each showcase the beauty and history of the island.  The festival uses an inclusive definition of jazz.  In celebration of ten great years stars such as Al Jarreau, Patti Labelle, Freddy Cole and legendary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin gave encore performances.  Yet some of the more enlightening music came from the lesser known, to us, artists and left us with the impression that Caribbean Jazz is alive and well.

  

 
We have arranged our feature into two parts for easier viewing.  Part One's emphasis is on the Caribbean and Latin Jazz that we encountered, while Part Two highlights some of the international stars.  To view each feature please click on the appropriate icons below.  Watch the travel section for additional news on Barbados tourism.   
   

 
   
The ambiance of Farley Hill National Park has proven over the years to be here the hottest ticket.  All day concerts here on Saturday - Spyro Gyra, Regina Belle, and Steve Cole and Sunday - Marcus Miller, CeCe Winans and Wild Mango closed the festival out. The stage sits framed by the stone ruins of a mansion and the musicians look out at the hill which forms a natural ampitheatre shaded by giant mohaganey trees and covered with blankets long before the music starts. From the top of the hill a dramatic view of the Atlantic ocean can be seen.  
Wednesday's show, also at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, featured the extraordinary Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin paired with jazz vocal legend and multiple grammy award winner Al Jarreau.    

 
   
Ernest Ranglin is well known as one of the pioneering forces behind Jamaican and Caribbean music in general.    

 
He was instrumental in the 1950s awakening of Ska music and has since been releasing acclaimed solo work on Palm Music.  

 
   
Al Jarreau put his full energy into the show which was well received.  His band was remarkably tight and responded instantly to Jarreau's improvisation style.   

 
One walked away marveling at how Jarreau is able to sustain that level of energy throughout the performance.  His an enormous amount of energy is coupled with his vast musical body of work as a reserve to draw on.  For instance, he improvised lyrics to create a piece around the words "Stay sweet Barbados".  Another highlight of the show was entitled"Jacaranda and Bougainvillea" from his latest release release 'All I Got' which is inspired by a recent visit to the new South Africa and its hope for the future.  

 
   
Mr. Ranglin backed by a band that include keyboards, bass and drums. Ranglin, a soft spoken man, seemed to take a few minutes to feel comfortable, once settled his playing displayed at times breathtaking virtuosity.  

 
Ms. Patty LaBelle, the R&B and soul diva is renowned for her work with the Blue Belles and Labelle with Nona Hendrix, is a legendary performer.  Her music today is best described as inspirational drawing on gospel and jazz as well.  

   
Ms. Labelle's voice soared dramatically over her large backing band which included four additional singers, only to adopt a sisterly tone moments later to address the women in the audience.  Pointedly excluding the men in the hushed audience, she addressed topical issues such as menopause and men in general as if she were sitting in her kitchen.   
   

 
Ms. Labelle, discussing her future plans after the show, mentioned plans to record the Caribbean hit by Che'rell Franklin 'Dancehall Queen' on her next album.  

 
 Gilbert Rowe, founder and executive director of the Jazz festival leaving the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium with thursday evening's star Patti LaBelle. Best of the Best was the theme of the festival bringing back many of the favorite performers from past festivals  

Wayne Simmons

Sonia Foster
   
Wayne Simmons of the National Cultural Foundation was the m.c. for each evening's show. The technicians deserve Kudos for the marvelous lighting and for having to get the sound correct in a different venue each night.   

 

  
The Barbados Tourism Authority was also a partner in making the week a success, Sonia Foster answered questions from the media and visitors alike.