ALL THAT JAZZ

Tribune Features Reporter

BOURBON Street on any given hot Louisiana night came to life last week on Charlotte Street. The pulsating rhythms of New Orleans became the heartbeat of the town, as the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise celebrated music and art in grand style.

"I originally came up with the idea of a Jazz bar crawl, a theme slightly different from the street party. After approaching one venue, it turned into a street party, and the rest is history," said Emerika Robinson, Rotary fundraising director.

Like the rhythms of the Jazz men who descend every year upon Paris' Isle de France; Montreaux, Switzerland; Havana, Cuba and Montreal, Canada, patrons experienced "the vibrantly eclectic world of Jazz" performed by various local artists.

"The turn-out was more than expected. Originally, when we planned it, we looked at hosting 150 people maximum. I felt we were hard-pressed to even get that amount. I did not know there was such an interest in Jazz by the Bahamian public. It was overwhelming," said Ms Robinson.

The Rotarians closed down Charlotte Street South and brought in live bands, specially branded bars and delicious food. The road was decorated with streaming Christmas lights, highlighted with lanterns in various shades of blue.

"At one point there was just standing room as everyone tried to maneuver themselves around the beautifully decorated satin midnight blue and white, blue sprinkled sheer overlay, highboy tables to get a better view of the bands," said Ms Robinson.

This was the first Jazz party for the Rotary Club, but Ms Robinson said it will not be the last, which is good news for Rotary's charities. Ms Robinson said "100 per cent of our fundraisers go towards our charities".

CHARITIES

These include: the Children's Emergency Hospital; Demetrius Home for the Elderly; the Bahamas Crisis Centre; Laura's Soup Kitchen, and the Sandiland's Mental Health Awareness Initiative.

"We would like to thank our sponsors Bristol and Sands Beer as well as many other private donations towards our efforts; Bank of the Bahamas; Bahamas Food Services; Coin of the Realm; Brass and Leather, and the Perfume Bar," said Ms Robinson.

During the street party there were performances by Angel Reckley and Zee Thompson. Gawain Clarke and crew performed a "rake and scrape version of soul soothing sounds", while newcomer Pam Woods brought a "mellow" groove to the Jazz party.

"Her performance also featured her grandson, who graced the stage and showed his talent on the piano," said Ms Robinson.

Ambasah closed out the show with classical Jazz, as well as Latin and Bahamian music