[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his young man is extremely talented,” I thought, as I sat alone just a few feet from his modest set-up on Tapas’ makeshift stage, my ears vibrating with every breath he blew into his instruments. Rashaad Joseph was Thursday night’s scheduled performer at Tapas’ “Voices on The Bay”—a welcome contribution to the Jazz Festival. While I had hit the jackpot with a front row seat (the blessing that comes with being early), I found it hard to write about anything other than what I discovered was possible when a super talent and his saxophone come together, not to mention a great voice!
Rashaad officially began the night with a particularly jazzy rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” before drifting into a repertoire of reggae, R&B, pop and rap, all with a touch of that magic sax. This was not my first exposure to Rashaad. I’d heard him once before, with The Band Dynamix, and knew he was special. Since then he has developed even more stage personality with stardom stamped all over it.
Candidly, I was taken way off guard: six songs into his set, when the melody of John Legend’s “Ordinary People” came on, and I expected to hear the sultry sound of his saxophone. Instead the audience and I were treated to a powerful, smooth voice singing the opening line, “Girl I’m in love with you, this ain’t the honeymoon.” When Rashaad sat down to speak with me after the show, one of the first things I said was, “It’s almost unfair that one person should be blessed with so much talent!”
Tapas provided the perfect venue, with its signature toasty yet breezy atmosphere for a dreamy evening of great music, fine dining and unwinding. The opportunity to speak to Rashaad after his gig, just before he set out on a second leg at another venue, was, as they say, the icing on the gateau.
This is his second year performing at Saint Lucia’s Jazz events. While last year was a good experience, he told me, “The second time around has been a lot better. Maybe because I’m getting more comfortable as a musician.” For Rashaad, the Jazz festival affords him the opportunity to grow as a performer. Even Tapas Entertainment co-ordinator Jonelle James sang the young musician’s praises. She explained that Rashaad is not only a great fit for their Jazz event but he also regularly performs at the restaurant on weekends. She especially underscored his versatility: “You can have him on the sax, you can get the vocals and you get an infusion of different things. His repertoire also includes music for young patrons.”
Rashaad will end his jazz run on Monday alongside Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson. As for Jazz at Tapas’ Voices on the Bay, the music continues. This evening, Rob Zii & Phyness, featuring Empress Eka, are slated to perform. On Sunday, for the Mother’s Day brunch, Mervyn Wilkinson and Barbara Cadet take the stage. After that it’s back to their regular programming.
If you want to catch Rashaad and other gifted artists live in an intimate setting, check out Tapas. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
