News: Rudder Brings Fans to Tears

"David Rudder brought fans to tears at the opening of the first Tobago Gourmet Jazz Festival on Friday night, despite the confusion surrounding his arrival at the venue, Plymouth Recreational Grounds.

For more than three hours, Rudder and his band were left stranded at Grafton Beach Resort, where they had been put up, as show promoters had forgotten to pick them up.

When Rudder, who was scheduled to perform fifth on the show’s line-up of 11 entertainers, arrived, he had already missed his turn.

When he approached the stage, hoping to perform, he was not allowed to do so by the stage manager. Only after the intervention of local officials was the calypso icon allowed to perform last in the line-up.

Rudder performed after international reggae artiste Shaggy.

But the show’s hosts, Adrian Don Mora and Jus Jase, failed to introduce him, and some patrons had already begun to leave the venue, since they thought the show had ended with Shaggy’s performance.

This did not stop Rudder from overwhelming the remaining patrons with his popular hits.

Friday’s show, which began more than an hour late, attracted thousands, but most of the audience were holders of free tickets.

First up was Tobago All Star Jazz Band, followed by several local acts, including Mungal Patasar and Michael Boothman.

The night’s first international act was Angie Stone, who was originally scheduled to perform on Saturday night.

Soca artiste Machel Montano, in his usual exuberant style, had patrons on their feet.

During his performance Shaggy encountered a number of technical difficulties.

Some disgruntled patrons also complained that his performance was mediocre, and that they needed a little less talking from the reggae star, who was accompanied by Rayvon.

Saturday night’s show was clearly more organised, and had an earlier start.

Internationally-renowned soul singer Natalie Cole, who was originally carded to perform last night, wowed fans and produced the first real jazz performance since the start of the festival.

Half-way during her performance, Cole kicked off her shoes and removed a pink rose which adorned her hair, as she got more comfortable with her screaming fans.

Cole, who did an impromptu performance of her hit, “Mr Melody,” surprised both back-up singers and band members who quickly rose to the challenge, delivering a near perfect jazzed up version of the song.

Another international act, Babyface, had the women in the crowd screaming for more.

His performance was very mellow as he sat on a chair, strumming his guitar as he sang his hits.

In attendance were Tourism Minister Howard Chin Lee, Education Minister Hazel Manning, Housing Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London.

Organisation of American States education ministers, who attended a conference in Tobago last week, also took in the show. "