Janet Silvera, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THERE ARE more cabaret performers on the north coast than there are employers and many of those who have been in the business for several years have been getting serious competition from the new and exciting acts on the scene.
There is obviously a changing of the guard taking place here and although it may be sad to see the old ones go, the excellent shows they have put on over the years will live long after they have exited the stage.
But a number of hotel entertainment managers feel the new breed of cabaret performers have great potential and make much more effort in pleasing their audiences.
They will also tell you that most Jamaican artistes on the hotel scene have not been exposing enough of our Jamaican culture to our visitors.
"I did a survey recently and guests were saying Jamaica is losing its culture; it's too Americanised. The Europeans are the ones who mainly comment. Generally when you go to a country you want the flavour of the country", said Alex Foster, director of entertainment at the 528-room Holiday Inn, Sunspree Resort.
However, he sees a change taking place with new cabaret performers such as Djani.
"Djani gives an awesome, strictly-reggae show, which is not necessarily the show a Jamaican would enjoy. And he has never done a show here that was not good", Mr. Foster said.
Weston Haughton, creative director, Beaches Negril, who is a stalwart in the business, told Showbiz the word 'cabaret' was being used loosely on the north coast. He reminded Showbiz that the word originated in Berlin, Germany, and was meant to describe dancers and singers doing a variety of things on stage. He referred to groups like Uzuri Cabaret Ensemble, Miko Blanco and Cabot Paul as those who epitomised the concept.
"We need to perk up the limbo, the back breaking dance of the Caribbean. After all people know this is how low you can go, but dress it up!" he pleaded.
In addition, Mr. Haughton bemoaned the fact that each artiste was doing the same type of show and "people are not being creative enough". However, he expressed respect for performers such as Karen Smith, A.J. Brown and Miko Blanco who have been in the business for years and are considered outstanding.
Among the new cabaret performers who Haughton believes has great potential are TO ISIS, Terry Harrison, Ma'risko and Romeo Jae.
Ma'risko
Less than a year on the cabaret scene 21-year-old Lynford 'Ma'risko' McIntosh is considered one of the hottest performers. In addition to a reggae act, including lovers' rock and dancehall, he also does a mix of ballads, disco, rhythm and blues and Latin songs.
He puts his all into his music, sings with a lot of feelings and when he does ska he surprises the older people in the audience with his foot and head movements.
"My grandmother taught me the ska", he told Showbiz.
After that segment, he changes into Rastafarian 'garb' comprising dreadlocks hat and colourful vest to perform popular hits.
Among the properties at which Ma'risko performs are Sandals Montego Bay, Breezes Runaway Bay, Grand Lido Braco and the Holiday Inn hotel.
Uzuri
The Uzuri Cabaret Ensemble is known for its creative costumes and professional stage presentations. The six-member group comprises five females - two lead singers and three dancers - and the only male, group leader Carl Williams.
This group has been working the circuit for the past five years and is the talk of the north coast.
Its 45-minute performance of dance and song is Las Vegas-style and the frequent change of costumes during one show creates excitement.
Being different has paid off for them, as the ensemble is constantly in demand and some weeks are forced to do up to two shows per night.
Djani
One of the few artistes who has tried to preserve and expose the Jamaican culture is Howard 'Djani' Sinclair. He insists he does not do a cabaret show, but a one to two-hour reggae act.
"Jamaica has an identity of its own, other than the 'Banana Man' image. And visitors say my show is like a live reggae concert", he told Showbiz.
"Tourists love the music because they are here to experience what Jamaica is all about... a new inspiration, a lift, a totally different vibes", he said.
Djani's shows have been known to turn into big parties, as he goes by the vibes. He does not have a set production; sometimes he dresses in African attire, other times jeans, or an outfit of black, red, gold and green.
He has dreams of performing on the big stage, such as Reggae Sumfest.
Romeo Jae
Twenty-four-year-old, Jason 'Romeo Jae' Gilpin, is one of Jamaica's promising young vocalists. He is the son of Patricia Edwards, of the fabulous trio, Ebony.
Already he has made his mark as a stylish dresser, with a seductive voice.
Romeo Jae said he wanted to sing from he was eight years old when he began travelling with his mother. And at 14 he began performing at weddings. Then his big break came when he opened for James Ingram here.
His act includes Latin, calypso, reggae, hip hop, dancehall and R & B.
Romeo Jae is also a talented songwriter, who has recorded one song already, Speak Your Love To Me. He told Showbiz he wants to stay in cabaret forever.
Shawn
Shawn is the epitome of youth, talent and beauty. At present she is filling in for Connie Edwards, a member of the group Ebony, who is on leave abroad.
She was discovered at a karaoke competition at Margueritaville, Montego Bay, where she won the grand prize with her rendition of Celine Dion's To Love You More.
According to Claudette Robinson, a member of the 17-year-old Ebony: "The new performers have potential, although most of them need grooming. After all, it takes years to gain experience; it's not an overnight thing".
She said Ebony, which has worked on several occasions with the young Fourth Street Sisters, had a lot of admiration for the four young women who have jumped leaps and bounds since entering the hotel circuit.
"When we leave the cabaret scene we intend to continue to encourage and help to groom the younger ones in the business," said Ms. Robinson.
