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Air Jamaica promises great Jazz And Blues Festival in January

NEW YORK – The 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, to be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, January 25 to 27, promises to be the best ever, according to Air Jamaica senior executive George deMercado, who along with event producers, hosted members of the international press last week in New York to announce the beginnings of the line-up for the 10th anniversary of the festival.

Arturo Tappin, Christopher Cross, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, Monty Alexander, Pieces of a Dream and an all-star reggae line-up, including Freddie McGregor, Luciano, Shaggy and Wayne Wonder, have confirmed so far, said festival producer Walter Elmore of Turnkey Productions, who added more artistes will be added to “The Art of Music” roster in the weeks ahead.


Air Jamaica senior executive George deMercado speaks to the press in New York

Speaking at the most appropriate venue for the announcement, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Grill, deMercado said the 2007 festival is going to be sine qua non. “It is going to blow everybody’s mind … those of you who’ve been, know what I’m talking about; those of you who haven’t been, have no idea what you’re missing,” said deMercado, cautioning that come January 2007, “you need be on an Air Jamaica airplane en route to one of the most beautiful islands that God has created to experience the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival.”

deMercado said Air Jamaica is delighted to continue to be the title sponsor of the festival which attracted more than 40,000 people last year. “It was eminently successful. We had more people than we knew what do with. This year we have a magnificent new venue at Rose Hall which will be transformed into a truly amazing stage and I have no doubt that the success that we’ve been able to achieve over the years is going to be surpassed in 2007,” said deMercado.


From left: Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism David Shields, with festival officials Walter Elmore, Marcia McDonnough, George deMercado and Gregg Truman

David Shields, Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism, added that over the past 10 years, the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival has contributed to the cultural fabric of Jamaica. He observed that 52 percent of those surveyed at this year’s event were repeat attendees and 92 percent indicated that they would like to return. He thanked Turnkey Productions for their professionalism, and tour operators for their contribution to Jamaica’s growth in visitor arrivals this year.

In addition to the music, Sandals Resorts chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart and Michele Rollins of Rose Hall Developments Limited, will be honored during next year’s festival.

For further information, visit www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com.

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