New York -
Pannist
Robert Greenidge, percussionist Ralph MacDonald, keyboardist Onaje Allan Gumbs,
drummer Buddy
Williams, saxophonist Arturo Tappin, guitarist Scott Galt,
bassist Nicholas Brancker, trumpeter Etienne Charles, vocalists Rhea
and David Rudder commanded the attention of the audience at Jazz
at Lincoln Center's Allen Room on Saturday June 16, 2007.
It was a musical aggregation looked forward to by many, one that fulfilled
expectations, and that prompted a sell-out of tickets to the event at
least two weeks prior.
The people in
attendance had discerning palates when it comes to Caribbean
culture, and by the end of the evening their appetites were
fully sated. But maybe if you ask the 'Rudderites' who
were in attendance, they would tell you that they were still
ravenous for seconds. For the majority though, the musical
fare undeniably made the Father's Day weekend entertainment one
to reminisce about for another year until time for the next
show.
The first section of
the steel pan jazz concert was in the capable hands of the
Caribbean All Stars, featuring Robert Greenidge on steelpan.
Before they were through, sterling interpretations of Just
The Two of Us, Stardust, From The Heart, Feel Like Making Love,
Stardust, a preview of Ralph MacDonald's My Space
from his forthcoming CD, and a taste of Mia Amor from
Tappin's recently-released CD called Inside Out - were
unleashed upon the audience, who soaked up the session's every
note.
In between the two
sections of the program, there was a short intermission filled
with audience exchanges of what they had just experienced, and what was
still to come in the second part featuring vocalist David
Rudder. But before the latter took the stage, homage was
paid to one of the living legends of the steelpan movement,
Neville Jules. He was the 2007 AEI Life Time Achievement
Award recipient. A man of few words, Jules made those he
delivered after receiving the award count and succinctly encapsulate the
history and present position of the steelpan instrument.
The Caribbean All Stars
took the stage once again, but this time as backers for veteran
vocalist David Rudder who was the consummate crowd pleaser.
Like the proverbial voice in the wilderness, Rudder sought to
captivate the audience with Farewell To The Flesh while
still out of eyesight; he began to weave his artistic web even
before he emerged from the shadows. The familiar refrains of his
selections were sung by the audience as his 'back-up singers',
whom Rudder cheekily reminded that they were "not getting paid."
After a set which included The Hammer, (an ode penned in
honor of the late great Desperados steelpan icon Rudolph
Charles), Jerusalem and Calypso Music, it appeared to be curtain
time to the crowd's chagrin. But there magically appeared
to be some time still left on the bill, giving Rudder a few
minutes to respond to an encore and definitively close as he had
opened,
with Farewell To The Flesh.
A fantastic evening of
performances? In the opinion of almost all, yes. The
third year of great steelpan jazz entertainment, in a venue befitting
talented artists and such a magnanimous instrument? Certainly.
But arriving at this
point of three years of successful shows at Lincoln Center
featuring the steelpan is no mean feat, and not for the faint of
heart. It should go without saying that obvious criteria
like strategic planning, stimulating global awareness, creating
a buzz and demand, a shrewd marketing strategy, a proven delivery
system to the loyalists, newly-converted, and potential devotees
- combined with the inclusion of recognized names in the lineup
of the three shows - all of which were employed by AEI - would
generate the growth and successes which have been these three
events over the past four years.
But not many people
have the wisdom to recognize and humility to utilize the correct
combination of proper resources and personnel that result in
such resounding attestation which have been these concerts.
And the kudos for doing just that go to visionary show promoter
and producer
Ralph k. Ramsey, president of Abstract
Entertainment, Inc. If he has his way, there will be no
stopping this leg of the journey in the continuing evolution of
the pan. And he will be taking no prisoners along the way.