
THE Jazz Divas Chapter 2 show at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston last Sunday more than lived up to expectations. The soothing sounds of an all-female cast backed by Obed Davis on drums, bassist Paul Madden, guitarist Brandon Benjamin and Ozoun'e on keyboards, engaged attendees with a satisfying fusion of jazz, Rhythm and Blues and reggae.Orisha Sound gave the penultimate staging of this year's bi-monthly series an international flavour. Born Orisha Pelzer in Oslo, Norway, the Los Angeles/Kingston-based singer charmed the audience with her energy and vivacity, performing songs from her latest album, One Reggae, such as Rewind, Love Rollercoaster, Riddim of Your Skin as well as Puzzle, from Cupid, her previous set.
Diamara Neil-Walker, winner of the 2015 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Song Contest, is a shining star. She gave a brilliant performance, around Because of Him, I Want Jesus, Eyes On The Sparrow (in traditional gospel form) before showing off her versatility with a jazzy rendition of Sweet Chariot and That Name. She closed with her Gospel Song Contest winner, God Is.
There were other standouts, including Azuri who was well-received for her rendition of Moody's Mood For Love, Orange Coloured Sky and Through The Fire.
Judy Emanuel lived up to her billing with her comforting delivery of Somewhere, I Don't Know Why, I Hope You Don't Mind and Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
Fashionista of the evening, Althea Hewitt, did not disappoint. Sporting a fabulous outfit, she gave an equally impressive performance; Street Life, Autumn Leaves, Simply The Best, Next To Me and Stronger were some of the songs she did.
Dr Kathy Brown returned to her old stomping in style on keyboards and vocals. She also impressed with When I Fall In Love, By Sunday, Get Up Stand Up and Sly Mongoose.
The grand dame of Jamaican jazz, Dr Myrna Hague, closed the evening with a vintage set.
Diamara Neil-Walker, winner of the 2015 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Song Contest, is a shining star. She gave a brilliant performance, around Because of Him, I Want Jesus, Eyes On The Sparrow (in traditional gospel form) before showing off her versatility with a jazzy rendition of Sweet Chariot and That Name. She closed with her Gospel Song Contest winner, God Is.
There were other standouts, including Azuri who was well-received for her rendition of Moody's Mood For Love, Orange Coloured Sky and Through The Fire.
Judy Emanuel lived up to her billing with her comforting delivery of Somewhere, I Don't Know Why, I Hope You Don't Mind and Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
Fashionista of the evening, Althea Hewitt, did not disappoint. Sporting a fabulous outfit, she gave an equally impressive performance; Street Life, Autumn Leaves, Simply The Best, Next To Me and Stronger were some of the songs she did.
Dr Kathy Brown returned to her old stomping in style on keyboards and vocals. She also impressed with When I Fall In Love, By Sunday, Get Up Stand Up and Sly Mongoose.
The grand dame of Jamaican jazz, Dr Myrna Hague, closed the evening with a vintage set.