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JN’s ‘Together We’re Strong’ musical feast a festive affair

Published:Wednesday | December 23, 2020 | 12:08 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Energy Mento Band reminded the audience of the place one of our endemic genres continues to hold in our culture, with a memorable performance of their interpretation of ‘Feliz Navidad’.
Energy Mento Band reminded the audience of the place one of our endemic genres continues to hold in our culture, with a memorable performance of their interpretation of ‘Feliz Navidad’.
Styled in a beautiful red gown, Tessanne Chin clearly demonstrated the strength of her vocals in a variety of songs from her catalogue and Christmas ballads.
Styled in a beautiful red gown, Tessanne Chin clearly demonstrated the strength of her vocals in a variety of songs from her catalogue and Christmas ballads.
Emerging artiste Jamila Falak showed off her range of talent, including on the bass.
Emerging artiste Jamila Falak showed off her range of talent, including on the bass.
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The Jamaica National (JN) Group’s ‘Together We’re Strong’ concert, streamed live via their social media platforms on Sunday afternoon, was festive in every sense of the word. The love of family, heart-warming messages in song and dub poetry, steel pan music, the scintillating sounds of the violin and the energy of mento, against the backdrop of a dazzling Christmas tree set the tone for the concert.

“Came for The Mitchells, stayed for the love,” commented a YouTube viewer and that seemed to be the feelings of many of those who were most vocal in the live chat. The husband-and-wife duo, entertainers Wayne Marshall and his wife Tami Chin Mitchell, along with their brood, have become YouTube sensations with their show, Meet the Mitchells, and their family bond was clearly reflected in the theme, ‘Together We’re Strong’. From Tami teaching them a Christmas song, to Wayne’s prayerful hit song, Glory to God (Lord I Pray), the family’s opening act – which included sons Atlas and Jackson, along with Wayne’s brother, Alex – hit all the right notes.

So, too, did Jamila Falak, an up-and-coming singer whose name has been ringing in 2020, and who is also featured on Shaggy’s recently released Christmas in the Islands album. Singer, D’Suave was his name, with his rendition of Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire and female singer, CK, was mellow and all smiles as she delivered a soulful Silent Night, accompanied by a guitarist. The children from the John Gray High School Steel Band out of the Cayman Islands gave a medley that was high energy and pure fun, while solo act, the Sons of Mystro, out of Florida, was enthralling. He and his violin became one bubble of harmony as he joyfully played Christmas favourites in a session that was way too short. But truly, it was not an evening to compare performances and say who outdid whom, it was simply one in which each act was appreciated, and even the idiosyncrasies found favour.

The Energy Plus Mento Band, for example, caused the chat to light up with laughing emojis, and had some people questioning their lyrics for Feliz Navidad, which sounded like “Venice marry dad”, and “prospero ano” became “prosper uno”. But the humour was good-natured rather than trolling, with even the emcees, Ity and Fancy Cat, poking fun at the band, while those in the chat called it “the remix” and asked “Venice, why yuh dweet”. But many declared that they rather liked this version, and showed the jolly mento band a lot of love.

Centre stage

The Mitchell kids had enthusiastically introduced their “Auntie Tessie” just before the family left the stage, and a proud Tami had added that her sister, the 2013 winner of ‘The Voice’, would be among the performers. No doubt they were cheering the loudest backstage when Tessanne Chin, dressed in red, took centre stage and belted out songs such as Mary Di You Know and Hideaway.

Queen of Reggae herself, Marcia Griffiths, known for her outfits as much as her songs, was her usual regal self, dressed in a ruffled, full white, off-the-shoulder top and matching pants, with a black neckpiece that came all the way up to her ears. She treated fans to timeless classics such as I Shall Sing, Dreamland and the Bunny Wailer-penned Electric Boogie. And just as they did during Tessanne’s performance, in the live chat, they dropped fire emojis aplenty in a show of appreciation.

Gospel singer Kevin Downswell and dancehall artiste Agent Sasco, both of whom are JN Group Ambassadors, delivered thorough sets from their respective catalogue of hits.

An important element of the ‘Together We’re Strong’ concert was the charity component, and Jamaicans at home and abroad were encouraged to support the work of the Mustard Seed Communities, which provides care, food and medicine to vulnerable groups in Jamaica, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

On Sunday JN Group CEO Earl Jarrett, in a short address, noted that 2020 is “a Christmas like no other we have ever experienced”, but in the midst of evil, “we must count our blessings and create opportunities to do good [and] as we give to you, we invite you also to give to the Mustard Seed communities”.

To donate to the Mustard Seed Communities, persons may deposit or transfer cash to their JN Bank Chequing Account #20000155091, registered to Mustard Seed Missionaries, using JN LIVE online banking or making a local bank transfer (ACH or RTGS) from any bank in Jamaica; or simply depositing via any JN Bank Smart ATM or Drop Box. Persons who want to donate using their credit card may go to the Mustard Seed Communities website mustardseed.com. Jamaicans and others overseas can also donate by visiting a JN Money location or online by using jnmoneyonline.com. Fees have been waived for transactions conducted at JN Money locations.

The ‘Together We’re Strong’ concert is still available for viewing on the JN Group’s social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com