Major Richard Cooke delivers remarks on behalf of his president..
Christmas Joy In The Bass at the Ambassador Theatre in Trench Town brought cheer to the community and its environs during the annual staging on Wednesday.
The first 100 patrons were given a bag of popcorn, while The Best Dressed Chicken provided meals for special guests, artistes, and many of the patrons.
Headlined by Carlene Davis, she performed classics such The Assignment, Santa Claus Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto, and her new release Christmas Inna Trench Town.
Performances were backed by the Transformation Band led by Dave “Prime Time” Green.
Davis explained that it was a sentimental experience performing at the show for another year.
“Jesus is the headliner of the show, but what this did for me was to allow me to have a space as a servant of the Lord to partly express some of the concerns I carry for people like those of Trench Town – that no matter where you come from or where you were born, you are endowed with God’s given purpose, potential, you are an original with endless possibilities. Whatever people may want to say about you, like they said about Jesus, ‘What good can come out of Nazareth, ’ ” Davis told the Jamaica Observer.
She also shared that the event was well received by attendees.
“The highlight, for me, was the love, joy and happiness — like the title of the event ‘Christmas Joy In The Bass’… expressing the love one on one with people of all ages; from the very young to the elderly. Trench Town, a place considered significant for the birth and development of reggae, a gift from God — who is the creator of all things — and at the Ambassador Theatre considered as the cradle of our music, ‘Christmas Inna Trench Town’ couldn’t ask for a better experience at this time,” she said.
Kevin Downswell Foundation and Joy Town Community Development Foundation also made a presentation of a MacBook Pro laptop to the JaaMIN Recording Studio, which had been resuscitated by Dr Henley Morgan of the Agency for Inner City Renewal which was received by Green.
Major Richard Cooke brought his president’s remarks and Christmas message, which was followed by an evangelistic message and altar call by Bishop Michael Smith, president of the Independent Churches of Jamaica Umbrella Group and incoming chairman of the Jamaica Umbrella Groups of Churches.
Meanwhile, Davis hopes that all Jamaicans, at home and abroad, will receive the gift of peace this holiday season.
“I hope that we find peace from the biblical perspective, and that we all find purpose and vision for our lives. You see, when you do not know the purpose of a thing, abuse is inevitable. If you don’t know where you are going then any road can take you there. The Lord God says, ‘I am the way,’ He makes a way where there seems to be no way; He is our way maker. I do wish for us all to accept the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives and live by the rules of the kingdom of God,” she said.
— Kediesha Perry
Dave “Prime Time” Green (second right) receives a donation of a laptop as he poses with (from left) Dr Henley Morgan, Tommy Cowan, Kevin Downswell, and Major Richard Cooke.
Carlene Davis during her set at Christmas Joy In The Bass.