CASTRIES, St. Lucia – All systems are go for the 16th annual St. Lucia Jazz Festival, to be produced by the St. Lucia Tourist Board from May 4 to 13, 2007, says newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Senator Allen Chastanet.
“St. Lucia Jazz is shaping up just great,” said Minister Chastanet, whose team is finalising arrangements for both the main stage at Pigeon Island and throughout local villages for the month of May. “The private sector has added more to the festival this year and we are very excited about the potential of this public-private collaboration,” said Chastanet, who added that the enthusiasm for the line-up of straight ahead and smooth jazz has exceeded expectations.
The Brazilian sensation Tania Maria will open the main stage performances on May 10 with Grammy award-winning John Legend to headline the May 11 performance. May 12 features a full roster of musical highlights, including performances by Al Jarreau & George Benson, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Boo Hinkson and Friends, and others. Performances by jazz superstars Natalie Cole and Isaac Hayes will close the festival on May 13.
Maria Fowell, Director of Tourism
Director of Tourism Maria Fowell showered praise on BET J for its role in positioning St. Lucia jazz as a key event in the Caribbean tourism calendar and wants to take greater advantage of St. Lucia’s relationship with the Viacom-owned BET Digital Networks. “BET is owned by Viacom which is one of the largest communications companies in the world,” said Fowell, who added her team is exploring new marketing opportunities with the network for the festival and the destination.
St. Lucian Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Business Development with BET Digital Networks, said her company was very excited about the new vision for the festival that “will benefit the economy and communities across the island nation.” She added that a preview show of the festival, now in the production phase, will soon play to BET J’s audiences across North America and the Caribbean.
Considered one of the Caribbean’s premier jazz festivals, St. Lucia Jazz – produced by the St. Lucia Tourist Board – attracts thousands of visitors who enjoy more than a dozen musical acts in a variety of unique locations and venues throughout St. Lucia.
