The Fourth Annual Anguilla Jazz Festival sponsored by Frangipani Beach Club at Meads Bay, Anguilla, has been given top marks by a number of persons who were among the large audience.

The festival, organised by the hotel’s Managing Director, Valentin Davis, and his friend Neville York, a top-rated steel pan player, opened on Friday March 19 and continued at the resort’s poolside the following night and the next day at Johnno’s Beach Restaurant at Road Bay.

The Saturday night was the main performance attended by many visitors and residents. The large turnout indicated that jazz is fast catching on in Anguilla and is being enjoyed along with other forms of local musical entertainment.

The main artistes were preceded on that night by performances by members of the Anguilla Jazz Ensemble who were applauded for their music. The visiting musicians from the United States were vocalists Sherry Butler Wilson and Jeannie Brooks and Patti Wicks, Tim Eyerman (on the saxophone and clarinet) and Jimmy ‘Doc’Reagan (jazz quartet). They all expressed pleasure being in Anguilla and were grateful to Mr. Davis for arranging their visit.
Trained musician Lennox Vanterpool commented: “I think the advent of the Jazz Festival is a very good thing that is happening to Anguilla. Incidentally, two of the players here are part of the Anguilla Jazz Ensemble. They are the bass player Paul Emmanuel and the drummer, Fred York, who along with Dumpa, Spraka, Connis Vanterpool and me make the Anguilla Jazz Ensemble.

“I am happy to see that jazz is expanding and so many people are coming out and really supporting the art form.”

Members of the audience

Scott Hauser, relaxing at the bar and enjoying the strains of the jazz music, commented: “It sounds very good to me. It is a great setting and in general everything is very good.”

Sitting next to him was Peter Holleran who remarked: “Actually I am not a big jazz fan, but this kind of music I love. More mellow jazz and more relaxing. Like Scott said, the setting is spectacular. It’s so beautiful.”

Aubrey Rogers, an Anguillian who resides in the United States, had this to say: “I am absolutely a jazz fan. I got it all from New York and Rhode Island. I think they are doing a great job.”

Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, stated: “Jazz is my favourite kind of music – that and Brazilian music. I think it is a great investment Valentin Davis is making because jazz has really not caught on in Anguilla but it fits with the Anguillian product. A lot of people who have come to Anguilla are very much involved in jazz. What Johnnos is doing, and he started it a very long time ago, is being complemented by what Mr. Davis is doing. I think it is a great idea and this is special. It is really good.”

Valentin Davis summed up the jazz festival as follows: “I think everything is absolutely wonderful,” he said. “We are having a great show. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves. There is lot of applause. I think it is just fantastic. Tim Eyerman, Jeannie Brooks, Sherry Wilson and the others are all having a great time. I am very excited. It is a great spring time here in Anguilla.”

Artist Courtney Devonish showcasing exhibition

A carving exhibition by Courtney Devonish also formed part of the Jazz Festival. It featured various attractive items many of which were purchased by visitors.
Mr. Devonish commented: “The exhibition was well received. People were excited by the wood from the old mahogany tree at Albert Lake’s premises. I think both were exceptionally beautiful wood. I hope Anguilla will plant some mahogany trees. I think it will be one of the most exotic mahogany woods in the world.”

Valentin Davis and family

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