Keyboardist dazzles Sando Hill Lord Kitchener’s music on show

Keyboardist dazzles Sando Hill Lord Kitchener’s music on show
Trinidad Guardian, Published: Friday, October 9th, 2009
http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2009/10/09/lord-kitchener-s-music-show

Keyboardist/arranger Leston Paul’s stunning rendition of Lord Kitchener’s Pan in A Minor was, by far, the defining moment of the recently concluded San Fernando Jazz Festival which celebrated the music of The Grandmaster Aldwyn Roberts. Paul’s show-stopping climax, as part of the Errol Ince Quintet’s set, took the evening’s proceedings to yet another level. The festival, up to the point of the Ince Quintet’s appearance onstage, had already achieved its stated mission of crystalising Kitchener’s worth and prowess as a composer of world-class proportions.

From the opening act of Lord Superior’s January Girls to Ray Holman’s cerebral treatment of Pan in Harmony, the sultry voice of Vaughnette Bigford-Griffiths, with bassist Douglas Redon, scatting and gliding with lush authority through the classic The Carnival Is Over (a la Cassandra Wilson), or the mastery of Aldwin Albino at the grand piano giving classical treatment and colour to the Roberts canon, the 2009 Festival delivered with style.

Witco Desperadoes, not to be outdone, gave patrons atop the scenic plateau of the San Fernando Hill a flawless set of Kitchener’s music for pan from the legendary steel orchestra’s collaboration with maestro Clive Bradley. But it was The Errol Ince Quintet, with a surprise appearance by Kernal Roberts channeling his father’s antics and energy on 12 Bar Joan, that pulled all the elements and nuances of the festival’s stated mission to the fore. If there was one drawback to the Ince set (and for that matter all the preceding acts,) it was overplay.

The performances, while undoubtedly enjoyable, were a tad long. But, take nothing from Mr Ince and his group (Paul, keyboards; BJ Saunders, bass; Earl Carruth, saxophone; Vonrick Maynard, drums.) From Quincy Jones’ Killer Joe, Jobim’s Girl from Ipanema, to Robert’s Carnival is Over, and Pan in A Minor, the ensemble (despite Carruth’s occasional tonal flaws,) were a delight for jazz lovers. Sadly, by the end of Ince’s set, around 12.30 am, the crowds had started for the downhill shuttles and left the final act Raf Robertson, featuring saxophonist Arturo Tappin, a sparse audience to close the 2009 festivities. Robertson, whose seminal CD—Branches—opened the doors for the appreciation of the jazz side of Lord Kitchener, played on despite this obvious drawback, culling from the Branches repertoire such gems as Margie and Bad Impression, showing why he is considered a foremost musical authority on Kitch.

More info:

For jazz lovers who may clamour for an encore or for those who may have missed the magic on D Hill, The Errol Ince Quintet appears this Sunday, at 110 Jazz and Calypso Lounge, corner Cipero and Robertson Streets, San Fernando. Showtime is 7 pm and cover charge is $60. Reservations are recommended. For further information call 758-7090 or 653-9725.