The Gleaner
The audience at the fourth presentation of Uncaged Melodies, the annual concert by the Classical and Jazz Ensemble (CAGE) led by University of the West Indies Music Fellow Peter Ashbourne, got a special treat. They heard the very first public performances of four of Ashbourne’s works just one component of a concert that was made particularly delightful by the variety of the items.
The three sections of the two-hour-long programme featured classical, jazz and contemporary music performed by a chamber orchestra, a wind ensemble, a string quartet, a jazz combo, and a vocal quartet.
Then there was a special guest musician Gay Magnus, director of the university’s music department who played a steel tenor pan.
Add to the above the fact that Bob Marley compositions were performed in three musical forms.
Arranged by Ashbourne, the Natural Mystic and Forever Loving Jah medley were played as a classical pieces, and Three Little Birds, a premiere work, as jazz. Additionally, the reggae icon’s Could You Be Loved was given a contemporary arrangement by musicians listed in the programme only as A. Valentine and P. Ashwell.
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