They came; they saw; the place was packed. The final day of the 17th Barbados Jazz Festival, known also as the Jazz on the Hill, took place at Farley Hill National Park on Sunday, 17 January 2010. We arrived early and claimed seats a few rows back from the centre stage and it was just as well, as people kept on arriving all through the afternoon.

Due to start at 1 PM, things were up and running within half an hour. Local artist Alex M kicked off proceedings. Although perfectly acceptable, after an hour and a half of his warmup act, I was beginning to find him a bit dull.

Arturo Tappin works the crowd

After a short break it was on to local jazz artist Arturo Tappin. With his trademark hat and locks down to his knees he worked that saxophone, coming into the crowd for his penultimate number and leaving everyone entertained and uplifted. Next, he introduced Marisa Lindsay who belted out some songs with a power that could have used some restraint. That duo was popular with the crowd. Canada’s Warren Hill was next — we could have stood to hear a bit more of his smooth sax sounds.

And then, when it was dark, around 7:30 PM, came moment we had been waiting for – Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds was on stage. The crowd sang loudly, screamed his name and enjoyed a polished performance of just a few of the hundreds of songs he has written for himself and others. It was a fitting culmination to the event, and so mesmerising that people continued to stand in the rain at the end of the event to hear him sing (and this is very unusual in Barbados). It was a great day out.