This evening had a magnificent bonus set from pianist Jason Rebello, a precocious talent who has developed into a world-class musician.

On tunes such as Justine Time and Herbie Hancock's Dolphin Dance, Rebello's virtuoso abilities delivered driving left-hand vamp figures behind multi-layered melodic ideas, with excursions into stride piano.

Ernest Ranglin took to the stage with a supporting cast of young reggae and jazz players.

Looking spry for 70, Ranglin displayed a deft finger-picking style that became ever more impressive.

His choice of material ran from classics such as the Melodians' Rock It With Me and Jackie Mittoo's The Blackout, where Brian Edwards' saxophones and Bubbler's Hammond-style keyboards stretched out.

Throughout them all, Ernest peppered the tunes with choppy riffs and jazzier solo runs.

His own pieces included Way Back When, where he indulged his fondness for quoting standards.

For many, the urge to dance in the aisles was irresistible and appropriately languid swaying spread around the auditorium.

Things really took off with the ska segment of the evening. The Skatalites' Ball Of Fire was a major part of this.

At this point, the evening was ostensibly over but an encore was inevitable and the choice was ideal.

Pass The Dutchie had the band providing the only vocal of the evening, including drummer Dave Fluxy and bassist Leroy Mafia, whose instrumental contribution was immense.