Cynthia Saunder’s original styling and the glow of the full moon bathed the patio at Villa Blanca Sunday night when Moonlight Jazz Soiree’ delighted a large audience. Cynthia introduced some of the original music for her new album and sang several old favorites.
Louis Taylor on keyboard, Joe Ramsey on sax, Charles Lynch on drums, Vince Wallace on guitar and Ptah on the bongos were at their best backing up Cynthia and playing on their own. They finished the evening with a rousing rendition of St. Thomas.
Friends of Cynthia came out strong to enjoy the music, the wonderful atmosphere of the Villa Blanca patio, good food and drink and share in wishing Cynthia success in developing her first C.D.
When Eugene Smith, manager of Villa Blanca, got up to ask the audience how they felt about bringing back the tradition of Jazz at Villa Blanca, he was met with strong applause. The venue certainly lends itself to relaxing to the music and enjoying the breeze with the view of the harbor on one side and the rising moon on the other.
Cynthia thanked VICA for a grant she received, and thanked her sponsors: Prime Foods, Oasis, Herve’s, Comfort Zone, Grandma Sandy’s, and the Westin for door prizes and donations. She also thanked Addie Otley, who was present, for his announcements on WSTA.
Betty Barber celebrated her birthday with a table of well wishers. Leo and Cassandra Francis, Katrina Commisssiong, Michael, Peggy and Melvyn Simmonds, Joan Montegue, Richard Morris, Valerie George, Ron Nimmo, Judith Bourne, Matt and Pam Ekstein, and Wayne and Mary Ann Ramirez were among the audience of almost one hundred persons.
