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ALL SMILES: High Commissioner Assamba and Harold Davis are joined by Dennis Alcapone (Left), Count Prince Miller and saxophonist Lascelles James (right) [PIC CREDIT: George Ruddock]

MULTI-TALENTED musician and singer, Harold Davis, trilled a packed audience at the Jamaica High Commission on March 23 when he hosted a special listening party to launch his new album Something Special – Piano Ska, featuring some of the best Jamaican songs from the golden era of Ska and early reggae.

Harold took the audience, headed by Jamaica’s High Commissioner, Ms Aloun Ndombet Assamba, down memory lane as he performed some of the songs which he covered while adding his unique piano artistry.

The 14-track album covered such favourites as Schooling the Duke by the Skatalites, Sweet Sensation by The Melodians, Simmer Down by Bob Marley and the Wailers, Satta Massagana by the Abyssinians, Freedom Sounds by The Skatalites and Sweet and Dandy by Toots and the Maytals.

IN ACTION: Harold Davis delivers one of his numbers from the piano [PIC CREDIT: George Ruddock]

In between each number, Harold explained the reasons he chose the songs and gave a history of the original performers.

He also listed the many famous Jamaican musicians who worked with him on the album including, Robbie Lyn, Steve Golding and Rupert Bent Snr. He also noted the international contribution which came from renowned steel pan player Darren Sheppard from Trinidad and violinist Jansen Folkers from Germany.

Harold also played a few tracks from his first album, entitled Harold Arthur, including Baltimore which featured the late great William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke and Love is where you find it, which showcased Harold’s singing ability.

OPENING: High Commissioner Ms Aloun Ndombet Assamba giving her welcome address [PIC CREDIT: George Ruddock]

In her opening address, High Commissioner Assamba spoke of the amazing musical talent which Harold possessed and also praised him for his artistic creation of bringing back some great songs and putting his unique style on them, fusing with instruments like the piano, flute, violin and steel pan.

Commenting on the event, Harold said he was pleased with the turn out and he believed everyone had a lot of fun.

He said he hoped this will be the launch pad for a potential tour of Europe as there are some plans in the works for a return later in the year.