By Kayra Williams

It’s official. The Jazz season opened this weekend with Jazz at Fond d’Or Heritage Park and continued on Sunday with the ever popular, Jazz on the beach. The event, now in its fifth year, drew in larger crowds to Reduit beach in Rodney Bay than in previous years.

The beach side location and the blazing sun was perfect atmosphere to show as much skin as possible. Even music lovers would find it difficult to focus all their attention on the stage. The shorts were definitely out in full force and bikini babes didn’t waste the opportunity to show off their curves.

If these are signs of what is to come for the fashion aspect of St Lucia Jazz then fashionistas note; there might just be a need to step up your game! For many it was the first time seeing the St Lucia School of Music Jazz band in action. The group’s effort was commendable. Linda ‘Chocolate’ Berthier and Divine Tones hit the stage, as did crooner Emrand Henry with his hit ‘Thank You’ and other tracks.

Zionomi certainly was one to watch as he sang local hits like ‘Come and Love Me’ and ‘Just a Friend’. The laid back Jazz crowd, most who’d been lounging and taking in the music got off their feet and surrounded the stage all doing just as Zionomi commanded. Rags, from the sponsor Digicel of course, and everything else was in the air for this performance. The best crowd response came after he rendered his smash hit, ‘Higher’.

TEM Band was next and they too were crowd pleasers. The group’s Jazzy/Rock flair certainly got heads nodding. Shayne Ross, who simply cannot be forgotten, was the last performer and he shared the stage with TEM. The night would not have been complete without him. Jazz on the beach ended on just the right note with Shayne’s ‘Take You Home’. The event, presented by Rex Resorts and Digicel, went on past the slated 6pm cut off time—not that anyone minded.

The crowd make-up can only be described as a melting pot. It seemed as if all sections of the island’s social ladder were in attendance. Everyone, from government ministers like Guy Mayers to local entertainers like Ninja Dan, Cupid, Courtney Louis and Kayo were spotted.

Caption: Even though the sun was setting as he performed, Shayne Ross brought on the heat!