Sando Jazz Festival celebrates Kitch

Sando Jazz Festival celebrates Kitch
Newsday News, Tuesday, September 22 2009
http://newsday.co.tt/features/0,107795.html

THE SIXTH annual edition of the San Fernando Jazz Festival (SFJF) which will be staged on the San Fernando Hill on Saturday, will be in celebration of the late Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts), also known as the Grandmaster, his life, times and his work.

Celebrating the great bard in a jazz-calypso idiom will be none other than Raf Robertson and Leston Paul who promise to rework some of Kitche's tracks such as "Sugar Bum", "Trouble in Arima" and "Coffee From Brazil". Errol Ince and his Quintet will also be featured on the extension of the festival's theme "Pass the hat....Celebrating The Grandmaster".

To add to another dimension to the whole repertoire of work that Kitchener has left as a legacy is Lord Superior (Andrew Marcano), who is familiar with the work of Kitch. The sole female on the cast, Vaughnette Bigford Griffith, who is considered one of the best women jazz exponents, will also produce her own variation of the music of the Grandmaster.

Then there will be pianist Aldwin Albino, with a special affinity for Kitch's music to serenade patrons with his own cool style of playing, and also in the mix is Carlton "Zanda" Alexander and The Coal-pot Band. Bringing the curtains down will be ten-times National Panorama Champions, the Witco Desperadoes who is expected to thrill patrons with their own inimitable style of delivery of the legend's music.

Gates will be open from 5 pm for the 7 pm start and the organisers are hopeful that patrons would not be lax in observing this early start, or they would miss the Despers in the opening act, before joining the key artistes on the evening, who together, will be paying homage to the contribution of the Grandmaster.

Patrons can look forward to a fantastic evening with expected good weather, a breathtaking view of San Fernando and environs from the top, a bus shuttle to and from the Hill, VIP privileges, well-stocked bars, food stations to ease the congestion and delight the palate, and of course, musical diversions to thrill every moment.