Last Saturday night, in a slight drizzle, the National Conservation Commission Chorale and members of the 1688 Orchestra thrilled a modest crowd at Hastings Esplanade, Hastings, Christ Church.
The orchestra, in a free sunset concert called 1688 At The Rock, managed to give the crowd its usual lively performances although without its six-member pan section. With saxophones, trombone, drums, horn, trumpet and guitar, it performed music off its debut CD Bajan Jazz Routes Volume I.
The folk song Every Time I?Pass was a delight to hear because the notes changed from swing to bolero to spouge and tuk.
The musicians also did Feliz Navidad spouge style, causing joggers, mums pushing babies in strollers and strolling couples using the Richard Haynes Boardwalk to stop and enjoy the selections.
Joseph Callender, on tenor sax, took the music to sitting patrons by walking through the crowd blowing the sweet notes of original piece Carnival Play. The orchestra also played Sugar, For Vern, a folk medley and others.
In existence since 2009, the 1688 Orchestra, under director Stefan Walcott, is made up of past music students of the Barbados Community College.
The 15-member National Conservation Commission Chorale, known for its Negro spirituals and gospel songs, thrilled the audience with its Christmas selections. The group has been together for 16 years and sings at concerts, church services and Queen’s Park. (NS)
