Independence Square was transformed into a Bajan Christmas atmosphere when the Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union held its seasonal concert last Friday night.
The hundreds in attendance were put in a festive mood, not only because of the dozens of lighted Christmas trees that adorned the Square, but opening musical act Ever Jammin’ delighted with popular Christmas numbers Mary, Did You Know? This Christmas and Do You Hear What I Hear?
Saxophonist Romaro Greaves delivered a jazzy and gospel-accented interpretation of Silent Night.
Greaves, a member of the Darien Bailey Band which backed artistes Jaicko, Keisha Christian, Trinity Clarke, Buggy Nhakente, Stiffy and Lil Rick, mesmerised the audience with every note he blew. He also showed his versatility with a reggae treatment of My Little Christmas Tree.
Eleven-year-old Clarke, winner of this year’s Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest, was also outstanding. She recently impressed Barbadian international singer Rihanna when she performed at a ceremony to signal the renaming of Westbury New Road in Rihanna’s honour and name.
Clarke, an Alexandra student, showed off her vocal range and tone in A Child Is Born and O Holy Night. She deserved the thunderous applause she got at the end of both songs.
Stiffy, Bashment Soca king, cut a dapper look. Wearing a black pants, black jacket and black shirt with a red tie, he exhibited his star quality when singing Bumba’s Why Can’t This Christmas Feeling Go On. He got a little “bashy” – just a little – with I Ain’t Gettting Nutten For Christmas, Bajan style. The audience loved this different side as he seemed to be plugged into everything that made a Bajan Christmas.
Keisha Christian also delighted with Every Year, Every Christmas, Merry Christmas Baby and Calypso Noel, while Buggy Nhakente added a reggae touch with We Wish You An Irie Chrismas and Santa Claus (Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto?).
Jaicko sang The Christmas Song and This Christmas; the young dancers of Pearl’s Dance Academy performed their NIFCA Silver Award-winning piece Down Under; while Notes Of Praise’s young musicians (steel pans and drums) played Gloria In Excelsis Deo and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
Singer Lakenya Prescod, who did Mary Did You Know?, and the Barbados Public Workers’ Cooperative Credit Union Chorale with Kellie Cadogan-Price and Bryan Lashley who sang Put A Little Christ In Your Christmas, all performed beautifully.
When reigning Party Monarch Lil Rick hit the stage, he sang a unique version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas which he said he had written the day before. The audience loved it. His rendition of Sach Moore’s Wuh Yah Gotta Gimme Fuh Christmas? saw many singing along.
Master of ceremonies Mac Fingall was hilarious as usual. He also engaged the children and adults who wanted to win the branded promotional items from the credit union. (Green Bananas Media)
