GUYANA celebrated International Jazz Day with a mixture of contemporary and original ballads performed by seasoned and emerging vocalists and other musicians at Club 704 on Saturday April 30, 2016. The show coincided with activities staged as part of Guyana’s Jubilee celebrations organized by the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.

The inclement weather occasioned a shift in venue from the Botanical Gardens to the Albert and Lamaha Street location, which provided a comfortable and appropriately outfitted studio atmosphere for those who turned out.
Keyboardist Trevor Rogers treated patrons and jazz lovers to an entrée of smooth keyboard rhapsodies to warm their hearts and set the tone for the evening.
The show then got underway, with host Sean Bhola, who introduced solo performances by Colgrain White and Michael Smith on the steel pan, and saxophonist Roy Stewart.
The rhythmic vibes of Collage, a youth group formed four years ago, offered a different genre of music, introducing the audience to their interpretations of Drake’s top hit, Hotline Bling, and their original piece on suicide.
Rhonda Gravesande belted out a number of popular hits, such as Bette Midler’s Wind beneath my wing, and was accompanied by Sean Bhola.
She received a standing ovation, with calls for a repeat performance. The duet attracted thunderous applause, and brought out the repertoire of vocal talent resonant in both performers.
Feature performer, Tennicia DeFreitas, whose stage presence matched her versatile talent in her selections, which included Overjoy, Crazy, and Fever by Peggy Lee among others.
De Freitas gave the audience an extra treat with her riveting duet, “Endless Love”, performed with Sean Bhola. The singer was backed by the Jazz Showcase Band, which included Trevor John, Peter Atherly, Trevor Rogers, Micheal Smith and David Ashwood.
By the end of the show, which lasted just over two hours, the audience appeared highly appreciative, with some requesting more jazz shows.
Saturday’s programme was part of the Music Department’s five-year strategic plan, and falls under the Public Music Concert series, which is geared towards increasing the public’s education about various forms of music, and developing increased appreciation for good music among our citizenry.
UNESCO has designated April 30 as International Jazz Day, which encourages and highlights the power of jazz as a force for freedom and creativity; promotes intercultural dialogue through respect and understanding; and unites people from all corners of the globe.
This is the fifth year that Guyana has joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Jazz Day as a party to the convention. (Ministry of Education,
Department of Culture, Youth and Sport)