JAZZIN’ for St. Lucia – KysoFusion and Makadanm

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Trinidadian multi-instrumentalist Michael Boothman added another title to his hat, that of philanthropist, when he and his band, Boothman’s KysoFusion put on a benefit concert on November 28 to aid the island of St. Lucia recently devastated by floods and landslides brought on by Hurricane Tomas.

The 2010 Caribbean Jazz Fusion Concert, held at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain , Trinidad on November 28, also featured Biguine-Jazz band Makadanm out of Martinique.

Boothman was inspired to commit part proceeds from the concert to St. Lucia by virtue of his long-standing relationship with St. Lucia Jazz and the people of St. Lucia.

The concept of the Caribbean Jazz Fusion Concert is being expanded into a first of its kind Caribbean Jazz, Food and Wine/Spirits Festival tentatively scheduled for the first quarter of 2011. (Source: Jazz takes on Martiniquan twist)

The Blackberry Bro, Nigel Campbell was at the Caribbean Jazz Fusion Concert and filed this report on the KysoFusion segment of the concert:

After Makadanm had taken flight with their French Caribbean beguine, Michael Boothman’s KysoFusion hooked up and with our Songbird, Nisa Nora on the vocals, did “Saying it with Music,” a remake of a 1970s Boothman classic.  Much was expected from Nisa because you know the lady can sing.  And she delivered the goods.

Then KysoFusion played “Maya Mosquito” – never sounds old; the hallmark of great song-writing.

But as Boothman pulled out those kaisojazz gems and classics out of his creative bag, the crowd began to dwindle.  That’s disrespect.

“Jump to It,” another classic co-written with percussionist Ralph MacDonald, was a loss for those people who left, and worse yet, those who were not there to witness the man Boothman playing with a band for the first time in a while, by his own admission.

KysoFusion closed its set with a cover of a Roger Boothman composition (the Boothman Brothers are an institution in Trinidad) and a Michael Boothman original entitled “A Brighter Day.”  This song was dedicated, quite appropriately, to St. Lucia, that she may see a brighter day after the scourge of Hurricane Tomas weeks ago.

However, the fun was not yet over for Makadanm was invited back on stage for a last jam with KysoFusion. They came out with Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain” with Makadanm’s vocalist doing a creole rap over the melody.

Fun Caribbean Jazz.   I love it!