CASTRIES, St Lucia, Wednesday February 1, 2012 – All systems are go for this year’s St Lucia Jazz festival which is expected to kick off from April 30 to May 13.
Now into its 21st year, this year’s festival will encompass 14 days of performances by 50 artistes drawn from St Lucia, the regional and international circles. It will kick off with opening acts from Trinidadian power couple Fay Ann Lyons & Bunji Garland. The opening will also feature dancehall wonder Busy Signal and Saint Lucian singing sensation Teddyson John.
In addition, this year’s performing acts will include multiple Grammy winner, Lionel Richie, 5 time Grammy winning artiste Ziggy Marley, African trumpeter Hugh Masekela, pop and hip-hop Melanie Fiona and gospel king Kirk Franklin.
St Lucia tourism director Louis Lewis said the longevity of St Lucia Jazz was testament to innovation and determination which was needed to ensure it remained fresh and exciting to maintain public interest.
The upcoming event was also endorsed by tourism minister Lorne Theophilus who was happy to see the return of the popular Opening of Jazz. “There has been clarinet calls for the return of this component of the festival. For many patrons this simple, yet symbolic opening had significant meaning by aligning St Lucia Jazz with the average St Lucian, featuring St Lucia’s best musical talents within a festival that has become renowned for attracting the world’s best,” he said.
The St Lucia Jazz Festival has maintained its ranking as one of the world’s top five festivals.
Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/st_lucia_news/552100.html#ixzz1l9GpbbYV
