GigSpot: Tribute To MJ | Jazz Cafe

We're just back from a highly enjoyable night at the Jazz Cafe in Camden, London and I'd like to tell you about it if I may. Tonight was the second, and final, night of the Jazz Cafe's 'A Tribute To Michael Jackson' show.

A group of very talented musicians and singers were brought together for the special two-night tribute show. These were: Eric Roberson (host for the night), Phonte Coleman (of Little Brother & Foreign Exchange), Chris Ballin (Incognito, Omar), Donna Gardier (Sunburst Band, Sting), and Lex Cameron (Billy Ocean, omar, many others).

We were especially excited about seeing Kym Mazelle, as she features on Maceo Parker's live album 'Life On Planet Groove'. We were thrilled by her super-charged vocal work on a number of songs, including a jammin' reggae version of 'The Way You Make Me Feel'. Donna Gardier was equallly impressive with her numbers, especially a great rendition of 'Remember The Time'.

Lex Cameron mostly provided backing vocals and played keyboard, but on the two occasions he took centre stage he thrilled the audience. The first time to produce a stunning performance of 'Don't Stop Till You Get Enough' and the second time during the interval to do a solo of the touching 'Gone Too Soon'.

Make no mistake, this guy is blessed with one sweet voice. We were treated to a high energy performance of 'Billy Jean' by Phonte Coleman and some classic Michael Jackson dance moves up on the balcony behind the stage as he entered theatrically.

Eric Roberson sang a higly emotive version of ' The Lady In My Life', and for the last song of the night gave us his rendition of 'Rock With You', which was excellent. It was clear from Eric's comical on-stage romancing of someone's camera, as if it were the 'lady' in question in the song 'The Lady In My Life', that he was more than just a great singer, he was also quite the comedian. The camera appeared to be recording in video mode during all that and so I wonder how long it will be before that video footage is put up on YouTube by the owner. Although, he did kiss the lens at one point ( for several seconds) so the footage may be blurry from that point onwards!

It was a full house in the Jazz Cafe and then some, infact we'd never seen it so jammed. The audience cheered so loudly at the end that it was clear that the night had proven to be a big hit with all those who had come along wanting to celebrate Michael Jackson's life and music. It was a big hit with us too and we certainly enjoyed it all.

Eric Roberson mused at the start of the show that "Michael Jackson put his entire life into his music. So when we play his music we keep him alive". Tonight, Michael Jackson was more alive than ever.