NIGEL A CAMPBELL
Saint Lucia’s hallmark festival tourism event, the St Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is back with a bang after the three-year stoppage due to the covid19 pandemic. And with a change of government on the island, the return of the festival to the Pigeon Island National Landmark, its home since inception over 25 years ago, brings it back to the standard and layout that brought visitors in large numbers all these years.
On May 10, the now multi-themed festival kicked off with Kingdom Night, which featured global gospel superstars, Cece Winans and Sinach, along with a host of St Lucian praise and worship artists all sharing the stage in front of throngs of committed fans and believers. The demand for this show was evident as people flocked to the venue before the two hour pre-show gate opening time. Pastors, the "marish and the parish," the praise worthy all flocked there, “to be sanctified,” as my St Lucian driver Willett noted. His cynicism was acknowledged but the audience was willing and able.
[caption id="attachment_1015882" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Cece Winans performs at Kingdom Night of the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. - Ronald Raoul[/caption]
The opening act was an amazing medley of St Lucian praise worshippers and gospel artists, that moved the crowd for an hour. Performing as a non-stop medley, Michelle John-Theobalds, Shaun Melius, Special Blend and stand outs, singer Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers and vocal group Total Praise who balanced vocal harmonies with their seven voices. In English and kwéyòl, Jesus's name was praised.
Self-described “St Lucian on the international stage” Emrand Henry was up next. With his piercing voice, he wheeled the music as he bounded onstage in a military garb reminiscent of Michael Jackson or Jimi Hendrix from another era, and blew every one away. He had the 2,000-plus crowd screaming. The word will be delivered in any genre; reggae fusion, zouk and soca were all part of his repertoire. On his altar on the eight-foot high stage, he sermonised. And God listened. Showers of Blessings literally rained down on the crowd during his set. Henry told the audience he connected with a prophetess from TT seven years ago to overcome his wife's problems with having a baby. (Trinidad minds may go directly to late prime minister Patrick Manning. A name was never given for the prophetess.) These personal stories connected with the growing rapturous audience. As a 20-year veteran of the career, now living in the US, he has worked with local producer Judah Peters. Henry was recently nominated for a GMATT award (Gospel Music Awards of TT), but as he said in a post-performance interview, he is working to get recognition at Dove Awards level. His performance laid optimal groundwork for the next two gospel stars.
[caption id="attachment_1015878" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Nigerian gospel singer Sinach has the audience singing word for word. - Ronald Raoul[/caption]
Sinach, who easily filled Tobago’s Shaw Park Facility in 2017, resplendent in a green outfit
