Baje to the World presents a night of jazz

By Michron Robinson

The Easter edition of Baje to the World focused on yet another challenge. This time it was jazz and contestants delivered in sophistication and sultry style on the evening.

Top performances came from poet Cyndi Celeste, who seems to have a magic key to the judges’ hearts with her spoken word. Also ending the night on a high was SkyyDrive and Asanta Blossom. The femme trio won the COB Co-operative Credit Union Top Performers Prize. Asanta is no doubt a powerhouse of a performer and wowed the crowd with her Frank Sinatra piece, New York, New York. The lone male topping the night’s charts was Emari, who left the audience spellbound with his Michael Buble cover of Feeling Good. Emari also won the Barbados Trust Fund Ltd for the Baje to the World Workshop Participation Prize, and Asanta earned herself the Massy Stores Most Dynamic Performer Prize.

Other notable performances came from Lui the Bajan, who did his original entitled “The Artiste Symphony” and Carmen, who received good commendations from the judges. She started the night in royal style with her piece HER Majesty’s Ritual. It was delivered with a regality unmatched. Senior Judge Senator Carm described her performance as “awesome”.

One of the younger performers, Neffi, did a Rihanna Mix Dance and though there was a technical challenge initially, she maintained her composure and was commended for her professionalism at such a young age. Sabiah, too, was in good form with her Nat King Cole cover of L.O.V.E.

She too had technical issues, but handled it with a maturity that she was congratulated for by judge Sheldon Hope. “You had good use of the stage. You were very confident. The full voice and tone were very reliable. I appreciated it. This for me was a very solid performance,” he said.

Can’t Smile Without You was wonderfully performed by little Golden Girl who has a magic to her and was very well received.

The Showman too delivered on Sunday night with Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers. He was applauded for the use of his high voice register and once again outdid himself with a show stopping performance.

Fly Me To The Moon, a Frank Sinatra original, was performed by Kyrique Alleyne. The audience loved him and his inclusion of dance was very well received.

Cautions on the evening went to Yahandje who did a cover of Girl From Ipanema but once again had an issue with the band. Judge Philip Forrester warned her to continue being professional even if she has an issue with the band without pulling down the performance by looking back. “This same thing happened last week. I urge you, if you have a propensity to look [back] it will compromise your level of performance,” he said, also asking her to work on her speech and diction.

Shaquan Smith, who performed a medley of This Is A Man’s World by James Brown and When A Man Loves A Woman by Michael Bolton, was asked to bring his A-game consistently. He powerfully delivered and Judge Hope asked him to let loose with the amazing voice that he has.

Other performances came from Jahlyn, who performed Unforgettable by Natalie Cole. Tillieann did a cover of Don’t You Worry About A Thing by Tori Kelly. On the night dedicated to R&B last week, Tillieann finished among the top performers, but somehow she had an issue with her pitch. Miracle performed How Deep is Your Love by Simone Kopmajer and was congratulated for stage appeal and her presentation. Senator King analysed her performance saying he thought the tempo of the song was a bit too fast.

In offering final comments, the judges said that overall the performers did well, since jazz could be considered intimidating. Next week Baje to the World continues at the Combermere School with the Soca genre. (MR)