AT the recent Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Trelawny, two singers took the stage on several occasions, yet were never on the bill.

The brother-sister duo of Tamekia and Klyve Moncrieffe provided backing vocals for three acts — Nadine Sutherland, Etana and singer Medikal. The latter performed on the festival’s talent stage.

Klyve and Tamekia Moncrieffe have been providing backing vocals for Etana for the past four years.

Like many Jamaican entertainers, the siblings — who hail from Norwood in St James — began singing in the church.

The cabaret circuit on the north coast would then become their playground until one fateful day in 2008.

Nadine Sutherland

“We were introduced to Etana by a friend who said she needed two singers for a show in Kingston. We were sent four of her songs to learn, and with no rehearsal and a bag of nerves, both stepped on stage. This was the first time we were working with an artist,” Tamekia, better known as Tami, remembers.

That shot has led to continuous work with Etana over the past four years, in the studio as well as her live shows.

Etana

Although they have become a familiar part of the singer’s show — Klyve does Alborosie’s spot on the popular track Jah Blessings — the Moncrieffes have also done harmonies for Stephen Marley, Maxi Priest and Jimmy Cliff.

Following John Legend’s memorable performance at ‘Jazz’ last weekend, Tami would love to get that call from the American soul singer.

Not content to just be back-up singers, Tami and Klyve are making moves to do their own recordings. They are vocalists for the band Further Notice which just released a cover of Tracy Chapman’s Baby Can I Hold You.