Sun, sea, jazz and golf were the order of the day as patrons from overseas and locals alike converged at the Hilton Hotel for the 6^th staging of Elan Trotman’s Barbados Jazz Excursion and Golf Weekend. The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc partnered with the entertainer to stage the action-packed music festival which ran from the 10^th-13^th October 2019.

The event is hosted annually to raise funds for the famed saxophonist’s Headstart Music Program. Music has played an integral role in Trotman’s life and as a recipient of a scholarship through the Barbados government he was afforded the opportunity to study at the esteemed Berklee College of Music. This path has allowed him to make his dream a reality.  It is his ardent hope that he can provide a sound foundation so that young musicians can chart a similar course. Through his program lessons and an instrument are provided free of costs to children between the ages of 8-11yrs old.

 

Throughout the festival several students were featured. On opening night Ethan McCollin showcased his skills on saxophone, playing the inspirational “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. Daniel Harvey joined Elan Trotman on stage and brought the house down. In the following days attendees were treated to a presentation by brothers Ahren and Xavier Francis on saxophone and clarinet and a full orchestra of student musicians.

 

After days of golfing on the the lush greens of some of the island’s best golf courses the evenings were spent languishing in the hotel ballroom enjoying the eclectic styles of the featured artistes. This was followed by themed, upbeat after parties with the hyped DJ Spin.

On day one the spotlight shone on home-grown talent with the gifted Nicholas Brancker and his band comprised of some of the island’s top musicians. Trotman was the other featured performer and he teamed up with Brancker and his ensemble to thrill his audience. He displayed the finesse that keeps the highly sought musician travelling the world. Comedian Chris Spencer added a different dimension to the show with a hilarious routine that left his audiences in tears.

Ladies’ night was scintillating with Vaughnette Bigford, Jazmin Ghent, Gail Jhonson and Avery Sunshine waving the flag high for females. Day three was billed as “Soulful Saturday” and opened with local Petra Welch Band. Though pianist Marcus Johnson’s mellow style was a direct contrast with the fiery saxophonist Mike Philips, they both let the music hungry attendees satisfied.  The final day featured vocal band G-Syndicate and American Grammy- nominated singer songwriter Jeffrey Osbourne. He thrilled his fans with a string of his hits including “Love Ballad” and “You Should Be Mine” to cap off the spectacular showcase.

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