Night Lights: The Jezzebelle’s makes the island weather even hotter

The Jezzebelle’s have been the Friday night hot entertainment at Porky’s Last Stand for the last four years. Their high energy music is not only great for dancing but equally entertaining as watching them perform.

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX
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The band plays to a full house just before the new year at Porky's Last Stand on Marco Island. Band members are, from left, leader Robyn Fear, lead singer Kimberly Trapp and keyboardist and vocalist Beth Thompson Melville.

Each musician is extremely talented -— blending their musical instruments and creating truly upbeat sounds. Their vocal harmonizing is outstanding.

When Robyn Fear, the founder of the group, plays guitar, she shows her expertise. Her take on Santana’s Europa was exhilarating.

Although they all sing, the main vocalist has some great moves which come from her having been a dancer.

Just watching these girls perform is a show in itself. The dance floor does get packed, too. Who could possibly sit through their music and not want to dance? Not me. I was out there doing my thing along with the crowd.

This group is so popular that ‘Reserved’ signs are on tables. If you have a group of four or more, take heed and make a reservation — although there’s always room at the bar and high tops.

I’ve been to Porky’s many times and see the same crowd who just love to dance. When the visitors find out about the Jezzebelle’s, it will be a real treat for them too.

Photo by QUENTIN ROUX
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Band leader Robyn Fear adds some back-up vocals to a song during a recent performance at Porky's Last Stand on Marco Island.

Every time I go, I’m more impressed with their music. They each take turns doing something special for the audience — whether it’s singing, playing the harmonica, keyboarding, drumming or guitar playing. They are, without a doubt, exceptional.

The girls’ outfits are usually pretty sexy. Fear seems to always wear black jeans and her knees bend back and forth as she plays to the rhythm of the music.

Although this is generally an all-female dance band, they sometimes include one or two male musicians. When one of the five girls is not available (since each musician also plays with other groups) they sometimes rotate with a group named Sunset Bay. They come from Ft. Lauderdale each week bringing their lively music for Marco Islanders.

These musicians are real professionals. Their background in music is impeccable.

For instance, Fear had private vocal lessons, music theory and classical guitar in college with some piano and improvisation. She owns a private recording studio in Ft. Lauderdale, worked for several production companies, and has mixed live recordings of Pat Metheny and B.B. King.

In addition, she’s worked with many local bands in the engineering aspect of productions, doing covers and writing songs. She has performed in East Coast venues for many years and built a solid reputation for consistently fine musicianship and unassailable artistic integrity.

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Lead singer Kimberly Trapp puts some emotion into a number.

“Friday night is always at least three of us. We have four to five. The first set is a warm-up set while customers are having dinner,” Fear explained. “We do Motown, rock ‘n roll and dance favorites. As the night goes on, it’s an age-range mix of people and we try to keep them happy with a cross of dance stuff and party favorites. We also do current music and don’t use prerecorded tracks. That very refreshing for me, too.”

The newest addition to the Jezzebelle’s is Beth Thompson-Melville. She plays the keyboard, harmonica and sings. According to Fear, Melville is multi-talented and well-skilled. Melville and her husband were a duo known as Chris and Beth for several years.

Maurice Santa Cruz has been an alternate for the Jezzebelle’s since 2000. Playing bass guitar, he writes, has a studio and does radio work.

“Robyn changes the pace a little by having the males as part of the group from time to time,” Santa Cruz said. He’s right. They just aren’t as pretty.

Singer Kimberly Trapp has been with Fear for two and a half years. She was taught professionally and has been singing for about 15 years. In Ft. Lauderdale, for the past six years, Trapp has been singing the National Anthem for the Mighty Heat Basketball Team.

“I also do recording and am promoting my own CD entitled Disruption,” she added.

Raoul Fernandez can really beat those drums. He’s been playing for 15 years, two of those with the Jezzebelle’s.

“I went to school in Cuba and came to this country 13 years ago and learned to play American songs. I play everywhere,” he said. “On the east coast, midwest, and four times a month, I travel the country. But I love coming here.”

For great entertainment on a Friday night, Porky’s Last Stand is the place to be.

The Jezzebelle’s entertain from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. For more information on bookings for weddings, country clubs, corporate affairs or private functions, contact Robynfear@aol.com or call her at 954-873-8635.

Porky’s Last Stand is located at 701 Bald Eagle Drive. For reservations, call 394-8727.