As a cloud of particularly aromatic smoke filled the night sky, a sea of people smiled and danced to what can only be described as the best music in the world. 
Tuesday night’s free Rocksteady blowout show – the Jazz Fest’s third huge free show so far this summer – was, without a doubt, the concert of the year, and has forced its way into the top Montreal International Jazz Festival concerts of all time.

Sharing the stage tonight were some of Rocksteady’s most towering stars: Stranger Cole, Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles, Hopeton Lewis, and former members of the I-Threes Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. The music – a transitional genre between Jamaican ska and reggae – was joyful and familiar as the night’s guest singers rejoiced at being reunited once again.

Accompanied by a flawless band – including a rhythm section, 3-part horn section, backup vocalists the Tamlins and percussionist “Bongo” Herman Davis – the performers sang a veritable greatest hits of Rocksteady, from Take it Easy to Stop That Train and everything in between. Griffiths and Mowatt – as Bob Marley band alumni – even sang a brief one-two punch homage to the reggae king with back-to-back performances of No Woman No Cry and Could You Be Loved.

Keeping with the family spirit of the night, the VIP singers were humble enough to yield their spotlight to the backing band, who performed a mesmerizing dub instrumental by reggae guitarist Lynn Taitt, as well as a short run of songs with lead vocals by percussionist Davis and sensational singers the Tamlins.

The music was tremendous, the crowd colossal, and the vibe one of love and friendship.

But above all, the night proved to be more than a performance: rather, it was a celebration of Jamaica, of this wonderful genre, and of the special festival that brought it to this great city.

– Jake Shenker