THE historic Ambassador Theatre's spotlights will again be switched on this evening at 7:00 pm.

This time the lights of the Trench Town-based 'Bass' will shine on nine of the island's top gospel singers who are scheduled to perform on 'Christmas Joy in the Bass'.

This will be the second time this year the venue, which was closed in 1980, will be used.

The concert is hosted by the Joytown Community Development Foundation.

"'Christmas Joy in the Bass' is more than a concert. It is about celebrating the true meaning of Christmas and the hope of transforming lives through the celebration of the birth of Christ. We look forward to the event blessing the lives of the residents of the community and the visitors who are expected to attend," said Major Richard Cooke, president of the Joytown Community Development Foundation.

The foundation is a non-government organisation which has been working in Trench Town for the past 11 years to facilitate the personal growth of the residents and the development of the area's infrastructure.

Among the performers will be Carlene Davis, Prodigal Son, Goddy Goddy, Sister Scully, Jabez, John Ross, Ziggy Soul, Carey Sayles and Nicky J, backed by the On the Shout Band and Prodigal Radics.

The event is being produced by Glory Music, led by Tommy Cowan and Shikisha Cowan.

"As a young aspiring singer, my group, The Jamaicans — formerly known as the Merricoles — would rehearse at the gate of Rita Marley in Trench Town 'cause there was a vibe there. It was also a good place to be, so that we could be heard by all the greats in the music world going in and out of The Bass. Today, as an Ambassador of Christ, I couldn't ask for a better opportunity to produce an event in honour of the Ambassador of my life — Jesus Christ," said Tommy Cowan.

Built in the 1950s, the Ambassador Theatre was famous for the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour and Opportunity Knocks talent shows which helped launch the careers of Hortense Ellis, Lloyd Charmers, John Holt, Bob Andy, Desmond Dekker, The Wailers, Jackie Edwards, Dobby Dobson, Boris Gardiner, Millie Small, Jimmy Cliff, the Blues Busters, Derrick Morgan, Higgs and Wilson, Laurel Aitken, Jimmy Tucker, Girl Satchmo, Roy Richards, Charlie Organaire, and Rico Rodriguez.