The curtain came down on Barbados Gospelfest 2012 last weekend with artistes leaving a lasting impression on their audiences.
From Hymnspeak to the Sunset Concert, to Gospelfest Platinum Celebration, to One Awesome Day, the feedback was positive.
But it was at the Laughter And Jazz session at Divi Southwinds that took the cake after appearances by international acts Sylvia Small Fire Moore, the Christian comedienne; saxophonist Eric Darius; and vocalist Doreen Vail, supported by Barbadians singer Du-Wayne, keyboardist Brian Callender and MC Carl Alff Padmore.
The backup band of Bajans keyboardists Andre Daniel and Tristain Dowridge, drummer Petra Welch and bassist Kirk Layne was also top-line.
Small Fire, the petite young woman from Drew, Mississippi, had her audience in stitches, using real life scenarios, like what goes on in the church, to connect with her audience. She poked fun at the ushers, overzealous preachers and even used the altar call experiences as fodder for a good laugh.
As her bio says, “dedicating her life to God has led her to change her moral approach towards comedy. All of the animation, energy and aggressiveness from her club days are still there, but her show’s themes now revolve around the church and family values. You’re laughing and before you know it something just slipped in your spirit”.
Laughter And Jazz also revealed to Bajans the exciting talent, saxophonist Eric Darius.
He was explosive. His handling of the sax was almost amorous, an observation not missed by Small Fire who cautioned the females in the audience to keep their minds on “the blood of Jesus”, and not Darius.
Vail, who brought down the curtain, soothed the audiences with melodic voice as she told them about the Christian make-over.
Alff also was on point, adapting his humour around his experiences as a young man growing up in the church, and his family upbringing to the delight of the crowd.
