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CARIBBEAN MUSIC FESTIVALS
Music forms a large part of the Caribbean's history and way of life, so why not plan your visit to the Caribbean around one of the musical events that a particular island has to offer? A host of annual music events take place on various islands throughout the year, making it the ideal time to visit the island and experience the event and soak up the atmosphere first hand. Below we will outline some of the events which we recommend as worth exploring, along with specific packages for persons interested in experiencing these events firsthand (highlighted during relevant periods only):
BARBADOS JAZZ FESTIVAL – January
The first of the year's music festivals is held on the island of Barbados and takes the form of a Jazz Festival starting around the second week of each January. Unlike many of the other Caribbean's Jazz Festivals, Barbados tends to stick to a core of “real” Jazz style musicians when selecting the artists who will perform during the 6 day festival. Recent performers have included Pieces of a Dream, Ellis Marsalis, Adrian Clarke, Yellowjackets, Norman Brown Alicia Keyes, & Boney James. Events are held at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, including an intimate Dinner Set which is takes place at one of the island's elegant west coast hotels. Historical venues such as Sunbury Plantation and FarleyHillNational Park also feature as dramatic backdrops hosting events throughout the 6 days. For further details on this annual festival see website www.barbadosjazzfestival.com. Package details will be available later in the year for 2008 festival.
AIR JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL - January
Getting the year off to a "jumping" start, this 3 day music festival is held annually in Montego Bay, Jamaica during the month of January. The festival began in 1996 and brought international Jazz and Blues artistes to perform alongside home grown musicians. Over the years the festival moved to Ocho Rios and then took a couple of years break before returning to Montego Bay to be held at the popular resort of Wyndham Rose Hall amongst its 400 acre plantation. Artistes who have performed over the years include Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, George Benson and Harry Belafonte, and in more recent years - Beres Hammond, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, James Ingram, John Legend, along with many of Jamaica’s leading reggae artists. For further details of this festival see website www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com. Package details will be available later in the year for 2008 festival.
TOBAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL - April
In August 2005 the island of Tobago hosted its first Gourmet Jazz Festival. Despite being a first for the island, the event attracted huge names from the world of Soul and R&B, with Stevie Wonder appearing as the main headline act. Following the success of this first event, the 3 day festival changed its name slightly to become the Plymouth Jazz Festival and was moved to the month of April, and it has continued to draw some of the biggest names in the music industry from several genres. In 2006 international legend, Sting performed alongside artists such as Natalie Cole, Jonny Gill, Patti La belle & Barrington Levy. In 2007 the festival will take place from 26-29 April and has grown in popularity due to the line up which is yet again amongst the largest to be seen in the Caribbean and will include Elton John, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, Al Green, Earth, Wind & Fire & Mary J Blige along with many others. As a result accommodation availability is extremely limited, we therefore recommend that anyone interested in 2008’s festival should book well in advance. For further details of this festival see website www.tobagojazzfest.com.
Package details will be available later in the year for 2008 festival.
ST LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL - May
One of the Caribbean's longest running jazz music festivals, St Lucia Jazz has celebrated its 15th anniversary. A festival that lasts longer than similar music festivals held on many of its fellow Caribbean islands, St Lucia Jazz Festival generally takes place early in May and lasts for 10 days combining a number of fringe activities held around the island at various venues. The main portion of the festival takes the form of two evening events on Thursday and Friday evenings, and culminates with the two day main events which take place on Saturday and Sunday at the national and heritage landmark at PigeonIsland. The Festival has evolved over the years to include a wider range of music including popular R&B, but has always retained its more Jazz based origins, and has been ranked as amongst the five top festivals in the world by Festival mogul, George Wein. Artists who have performed during its 15 year history include James Ingram, Ronnie Laws, Luther Vandross, Gladys Knight, Randy Crawford & Earth, Wind & Fire, Al Jarreau & John Legend. For more details of events see the official Jazz Festival website at www.stluciajazz.org
In 2008 St Lucia Jazz Festival will run from 2-11 May 08, with the four main events taking place from 8-11 May. The line up of artists throughout these four days will be announced in due course but we recommend your book early to secure your flights and accommodation at the best costs. Click HERE to download details of packages to stay in St Lucia for this annual festival.
BARBADOS GOSPELFEST - May
Gospel Music has long been associated with the Caribbean because of the importance it took on for black persons of African decent during times of slavery, and its tradition as being the main form of music for many Caribbean churches throughout history. The church still forms an integral part of Caribbean culture, with many islands still covered with numerous churches, including Barbados, and so Gospel music therefore remains one of the island's popular music forms. The Barbados Gospelfest takes place at the end of each May and has celebrated its 15th year and continues to grow in popularity with the continuing emergence of Gospel music in its various forms - Jazz, Reggae, R&B & even Soca, alongside its more traditional forms. Playing host to this international event at the end of May each year, the festival takes place over 8 days and features back to back performances from an array of well-known and up and coming Gospel artists from the US, Caribbean, and more recently the UK. Past headline artists have included some of Gospel’s leading ministers including Kirk Franklin, Alvin Slaughter, Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen & Stitchie. UK participants have included Sisters of One, IDMC, Witness, Siani, Cie & Bishop Malcolm & Ro-hiel family. You can find out more about the festival at the official website at www.barbadosgospelfest.com. Click here for reviews on the 2006 and 2005 Gospelfest trips.
In 2008 the festival will take place from 17-25 May 08 and Culsen Travel, the official UK agents for the past 4 years, have organised a package which include flights, accommodation, event tickets and transfers to and from the events, and excursions as well as their on island services throughout the trip. Click here to download information and packages for 2008.
ST KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL - June
Said to have put the island of St Kitts on the map as an annual destination for many, St Kitts Music Festival is celebrated its 10th year in 2006. This music festival tends to cater for every musical taste during the duration of the 4 day event that starts on a Thursday and extends to Sunday. Having moved away from what is seen as the traditional Caribbean genre of music in the form of Reggae, Calypso and R&B, the St Kitts Music Festival has attracted both older and multi-racial audiences through the introduction of music forms such as Jazz and Country & Western. This has proved to be a popular form of music for older Caribbean audiences over the years. However the festival offers something for everyone tending to group music genres together each evening and combining international and regional artistes together. As such recent artistes have included Kenny Rogers, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, Dionne Warwick & reggae legends Morgan Heritage & Steel Pulse. You can also find information on the festival on the official website at www.stkittsmusicfestival.net.
Look out later in the year for details of packages to attend the festival in 2008.
BERMUDA MUSIC FESTIVAL - October
With its close proximity to the US, Bermuda has always managed to attract a wealth of top US acts to participate in its annual music festival. The small island of Bermuda is truly a quality destination and visitor's to their annual music event will not be disappointed as the shows offer quality acts, settings and arrangements which leave other festivals standing! The 4 day event includes 3 shows over consecutive nights, with visitors picked up at their hotel and taken to each show, plus an extra show on the beach by the island's premier Fairmont Southampton Hotel. The shows include a famous host in the form of US comedian Steve Harvey. As compere for the 3 day event it added an additional and unique feature to the top quality line up which included music legends such as Teena Marie, Gerald Alston, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes , Gladys Knight, & Frankie Beverley & Maze. For more details of the festival see www.bermudatourism.com.
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