My recent performance at the 2003 Barbados Jazz Festival was one to remember. I was asked to lead a group of very talented Bajan jazz musicians in a concert held at the enchanting Heritage Park St. Philip. The venue is an old sugar factory that has been converted into a cultural center by local businessman David Seale.

Despite the spotty concert promotion the musicians and I were very encouraged by the capacity crowd who came out to support local or as I like to say ‘indigenous’ jazz. My group, consisting of Rickey Aimey (Bass), David Walcott (Steel Pan), Andre Daniel (Keyboards) and James Lovell (drums), took to the stage first with original tunes or arrangements contributed by each member. I decided to premiere (important sounding word eh?) a new original piece entitled ‘Some Assembly Required.’

We were overwhelmed by the tremendous response from the audience, who cheered on every soloist and were remarkably receptive to this new and unfamiliar material.

We also had the chance to meet many supportive and interesting people including William Farrington, a journalist who very kindly sent me these pictures he took of the event – thanks Bill!