Were You There When...

Ralph McDonald, David Rudder, Robert Greenidge performed at Lincoln Center New York

New York - Pannist Robert Greenidge, percussionist Ralph MacDonald, keyboardist Onaje Allan Gumbs, drummer Buddy Williams, saxophonist Arturo Tappin, guitarist Scott Galt, bassist Nicholas Brancker, trumpeter Etienne Charles, vocalists Rhea and David Rudder commanded the attention of the audience at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Allen Room on Saturday June 16, 2007. It was a musical aggregation looked forward to by many, one that fulfilled expectations, and that prompted a sell-out of tickets to the event at least two weeks prior.

The people in attendance had discerning palates when it comes to Caribbean culture, and by the end of the evening their appetites were fully sated. But maybe if you ask the 'Rudderites' who were in attendance, they would tell you that they were still ravenous for seconds. For the majority though, the musical fare undeniably made the Father's Day weekend entertainment one to reminisce about for another year until time for the next show.

The first section of the steel pan jazz concert was in the capable hands of the Caribbean All Stars, featuring Robert Greenidge on steelpan. Before they were through, sterling interpretations of Just The Two of Us, Stardust, From The Heart, Feel Like Making Love, Stardust, a preview of Ralph MacDonald's My Space from his forthcoming CD, and a taste of Mia Amor from Tappin's recently-released CD called Inside Out - were unleashed upon the audience, who soaked up the session's every note.

In between the two sections of the program, there was a short intermission filled with audience exchanges of what they had just experienced, and what was still to come in the second part featuring vocalist David Rudder. But before the latter took the stage, homage was paid to one of the living legends of the steelpan movement, Neville Jules. He was the 2007 AEI Life Time Achievement Award recipient. A man of few words, Jules made those he delivered after receiving the award count and succinctly encapsulate the history and present position of the steelpan instrument.

The Caribbean All Stars took the stage once again, but this time as backers for veteran vocalist David Rudder who was the consummate crowd pleaser. Like the proverbial voice in the wilderness, Rudder sought to captivate the audience with Farewell To The Flesh while still out of eyesight; he began to weave his artistic web even before he emerged from the shadows. The familiar refrains of his selections were sung by the audience as his 'back-up singers', whom Rudder cheekily reminded that they were "not getting paid." After a set which included The Hammer, (an ode penned in honor of the late great Desperados steelpan icon Rudolph Charles), Jerusalem and Calypso Music, it appeared to be curtain time to the crowd's chagrin. But there magically appeared to be some time still left on the bill, giving Rudder a few minutes to respond to an encore and definitively close as he had opened, with Farewell To The Flesh.

A fantastic evening of performances? In the opinion of almost all, yes. The third year of great steelpan jazz entertainment, in a venue befitting talented artists and such a magnanimous instrument? Certainly.

But arriving at this point of three years of successful shows at Lincoln Center featuring the steelpan is no mean feat, and not for the faint of heart. It should go without saying that obvious criteria like strategic planning, stimulating global awareness, creating a buzz and demand, a shrewd marketing strategy, a proven delivery system to the loyalists, newly-converted, and potential devotees - combined with the inclusion of recognized names in the lineup of the three shows - all of which were employed by AEI - would generate the growth and successes which have been these three events over the past four years.