Anyone who can perform on the same stage just after the Jackson Five, live before a televised audience of several million fans, in Russia and its territories; another 10,000 in a sold-out show can perform just about anywhere on this planet.

When Kēvens shared his lens from that unforgettable show, I punched him with this question: “So, you could very well have performed with the Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Tom Jones?”

Kēvens did not move a muscle but left me blank with silence for a moment. Then, he broke the silence. “Well, I did receive a standing ovation.” “Oh! really!”

Kēvens is not the one to blow his own trumpet. In fact, I just remember, it was the trombone he had played in school.

But, let’s go back to the real deal, over 10 years ago when Kēvens got an invitatation which left him in wonderment.

“This invitation would lead me to St. Petersburg in Russia and I was down to do three shows at the Ice Palace.”

“A lot of people were a bit concerned, based on the strained relationship between America, where I live, and Russia. I thought about it, and finally decided to go, for the good of my music career.”

“I travelled from Miami to Berlin and then to St. Petersburg. To get into Russia was really tight and this at times had my heart almost in my mouth.”

Kēvens had hardly settled at the five-star hotel before he began to explore the dynamic architecture which had his lend busy before rehearsals.

“As I walked around, it was obvious I was a visitor, but my defined dreadlock hair had them believing I was from Jamaica.”

Taking nothing for granted, Kevens hired four members who play drums, bass, guitar, and keyboard to back him on stage.

He had worked out his choreography for each of the two songs he would perform for the set. Of the three nights the most memorable was the one he shared stage with the Jacksons.

“I was walking backstage, and saw who appeared to be the Jacksons, but that didn’t seem real until I was told to prepare as I would be performing after the Jacksons. Then I actually bumped into Tito. ‘Oh my gosh, you are Tito.’ And, the rest of salutations came amid nervousness and fantasy.”

“I was dressed matrix style which includes a three-piece royal red robe which borders my black custom-built shoes. And, my natural well-groomed locks adding my ‘ReggaeEDM’, his musical style to my dynamics.”

The band struck like lightning with more than 10,000 volts of beats. The crowd roared as Kēvens took centre stage belting ‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me’, a cover version released on his first album.

“The entire theatre joined my mystic performance and I could see the Jamaican flag in the sold-out show.”

“I then went into the second song ‘Please Don’t Leave’, adding more fire to the furnace of cheers, ending with a standing ovation”.

Kēvenswill be releasing his second album ‘Call To Balance’ with tracks such as ‘This is Love’, ‘Little Boy Blue’, ‘Save Me’, ‘Battle for Peace’, Sondores Legales’, ‘Burn Down The Throne’, and ‘Sweet Lady (Radio Mix). This album will be released about mid-October 2024.

(Photos contributed)

+++ Want to know more about Kēvens? Visit the artist’s website : www.kevens.com +++