IF YOU MISSED City Nights – Influences last night, don’t let tonight’s show miss you – even if you have to stand or sit on the steps.
Overused clichés will not be employed to describe opening night, but I will say I was blown away by the calibre of musicianship of a show that could leave these shores and perform in any acclaimed hall.
And I am sure all in the audience at Frank Collymore Hall agrees with me as they played musical chairs – standing, dancing, sitting numerous times – as the infectious music had them jiving to Bob Marley, jamming to Stevie Wonder and boogieing to Earth Wind and Fire. 
Nicholas Brancker brought his musical genius to the Hall and he had a band that complemented him from start to finish.
The influences he played touched his life in the past and the present, with guest acts like Philip Forrester and Biggie Irie who did covers, while Edwin Yearwood did his own song set, ending with Something Greater. The powerful voice of Alison Norville-Forde took the crowd to church with as the last guest act. 
Brancker, on piano and bass, also treated guests to some of his songs from his album In Contempt and at 11:45 p.m. the patrons reluctantly allowed Brancker and the band to take their final bow.
And speaking of the band, Brancker put together an outstanding ensemble who thrilled the crowd, also shining in their solos.
The band included Andre Daniel and Darien Bailey (keyboard); Andre Forde (steel pan and percussion); Melvin Alick (drums); Scott Galt (guitar); Jomo Slusher (trombone); Kevyn Lynch (trumpet); Romaro Greaves (sax); Neil Newton (bass); and backing vocals of Indra Rudder, Tamara Marshall and Rodney Small. (NS)
