This review was written by Roland Henry from the Jamaica Observer.

On the highly anticipated and well-attended final night of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, many patrons went home disappointed by the performance from the diva that reigns supreme, Diana Ross.

Prior to the start of her performance MC Don Topping announced that Ross had requested that there be no live video coverage of her performance. It seemed the anticipation perhaps distracted some patrons from Topping's comment.

 

 

The stage went dark as pop's first and greatest goddess rang out those famous words, "I'm Coming Out." The audience was euphoric, despite their inability to see Ross. There were shouts of "Jamaica loves you Diana". The moment further intensified when she repeated the refrain, still nowhere to be seen. And like Dorothy's ruby slippers in The Wizard Of Oz, Ross, now visible, sparkled in red sequin.

 

 

There were the trademarks: big ebony hair that immaculately made-up face, layers of organza and her signature hand wave. Ross followed I'm Coming Out with more of her early material like the 1964 Supremes classic Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love and Stop (In The Name Of Love).

 

Her failure to interact with the audience added insult to injury as people in the middle of the gathering started to sound their discontent. This quickly transferred to the VIP section, which, though closer to the stage, still did not provide its inhabitants with a clear view.

 

Further on in Ross' performance, the discontent among some audience members seemed to be growing and at this point it became apparent that they were 'booing' her, even as the diva went backstage for her fourth wardrobe change.

 

Ross seemed to have exited the stage prematurely at about 12:45 am. Topping re-entered the stage to ask patrons if they wanted an encore.

 

 

"Nooooo. Boooo," was the reaction even as some patrons clapped to show their displeasure. Still, not all patrons were dissatisfied.

 

"People were expecting too much, I enjoyed myself," said patron Odessa Chambers who told the Observer that Ross' stipulations were not unique.

 

 

Notwithstanding, others complained that festival organiser, Turnkey Productions president, Walter Elmore, should have informed the people what kind of show they should have expected, since what Ross did, seemed more like contract agreement rather than just 'diva-esque' behaviour.

 

 

Elmore, however, in an interview with the Observer last night, defended his production company's integrity. "What we signed was a standard contract. It wasn't until the eleventh hour that we were advised that she (Diana Ross) would not allow her image to be shown on the big screens," he said.

 

 

The Turnkey Productions president defined eleventh hour as "a day before the show", adding that he could have invoked the signed contract which did not stipulate that her performance could not be shown on the screens in the venue, "but the diva that she is, she probably would not have performed, and we could not afford that."

 

 

Stating that he has never encountered this kind of behaviour in all his 11 years of doing this festival and the 15 years of Sumfest, Elmore declared that from henceforth, "we will make sure to include image in every contract."

 

 

But, Ross' boos were a stark contrast to the shouts of appreciation Billy Ocean - the night's final act - received.

 

Dapper in a bronze suit, Ocean was stellar on Mystery Lady, The Colour Of Love and Loverboy.

 

 

"How you doin' Jamaica," asked the Trinidad-born artiste who relocated to the United Kingdom while still a child. Women screamed, demanding that he sing their respective favourites.

He obliged going into Suddenly, Love Zone and There'll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry). Bantering on, Ocean reminded that audience that his native island's carnival season is in full swing and as such proceeded to demonstrate the Wuk Up. He invited three ladies from the audience to the stage where they engaged in a dance-off.

 

 

Still on a high, Ocean charmed with When The Tough Get Going, Get Out Of My Dreams, Get Into My Car and crowd-favourite Caribbean Queen.

 

 

But long before the Diana Ross-brouhaha, 79-year-old blues singer KoKo Taylor, glistening in rhinestones and iridescent blue, entertained music lovers.

 

 

The sounds of gospel singing sisters Mary Mary were also pleasing to the ear. They brought southern-flavoured church music mixed in with modern-day funk on tracks like Heaven, Shackles and a cover of Stevie Wonder's You Will Know among others.

 

Though the 11th staging of the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival can be considered a success perhaps in terms of headcount (arguably 80,000 patrons over three days), the Diana Ross incident somewhat marred the festival's overall presentation.