BY MEL COOKE, Freelance Writer
Benjy Myaz (centre) poses with his band at the launch of his new album Long Story Short at JAMPRO Headquarters, Trafalgar Road on Thursday. - WINSTON SILL
BEFORE BASS PLAYER and singer Benjy Myaz performed at the launch of his most recent album, Long Story Short, on Thursday night, there was insight into a part of his personality.
"The humility of Benjy Myaz has always been one of the things that has drawn people to him," said Kirk Kennedy, executive director of markets at JAMPRO.
The presentation of the album was done at JAMPRO's New Kingston headquarters.
Thelma Porter, who hosted the evening, noted as she closed the speeches to make way for song that "one word comes up all the time in describing Benjy Myaz ñ humble".
ANOTHER 'H'
There could have been another 'h' as well, the humorous side of Myaz coming out as he performed songs from Long Story Short along with a band and three harmony vocalists. He started out with a third 'h', though, holiness, as he sang the first song on Long Story Short, Thank You Lord. He played the bass guitar and sang the love song You And Me, before taking a seat on a stool.
"Thank you very much as we welcome you to the essence of Benjy Myaz," he said. "We invite Paul Crossdale on acoustic guitar and I will be playing a very special instrument for you. My fretless bass. Jus' buy it," Myaz said to laughter.
Inviting Michael Sterling to the bandstand, Myaz said "this one is for all the people who have a dream. Never stop dreaming; if you believe, in time dreams will come true," he said, before beginning the slower reggae song and singing "it is a long and winding road that we have travelled".
RIPPLE OF LAUGHTER
Myaz scatted to sections of What's Going On?, done instrumental fashion with his bass leading. "That is Mr. Glen Browne, father of the bass. I get so nervous when I see him," Myaz chuckled, sending another ripple of laughter through the audience.
On the album's title track, Long Story Short, Myaz turned side-on to the microphone and, to a thumping bass drum, sang the first names of the harmony singers Sherida, Connie and Heather individually, concluding "too much woman now", to more laughter.
Myaz called on drummer Kirk Bennett for the last song of the evening, Do For Love, scatting a bit along with his bass and also repeating "Do for love" with the harmony trio. Myaz called for drum and bass and proceeded to take charge along with Bennett. "De drummer dem show off eh?" he commented as Bennett played, to more laughter from the audience.
After Bennett soloed, Myaz said "hush! Yu use to the soun' deh". It is a trademark sound from Beres Hammond, and Bennett is a member of the band he performs with.
There was more laughter and the performance ended to make way for the after party at the nearby Deck on Trafalgar Road.
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