The Valley, Anguilla – A small Eastern Caribbean country will be the center of cultural attention this week when Anguilla, known for its breathtaking beauty, opens its doors to visitors from all over the world for the annual Anguilla Tranquility Jazz Festival, produced for the BET Jazz channel by BET Event Productions, from November 9-13, 2005.
Attracting some of the most respected names in jazz, the line-up of confirmed artists includes vocalists Marlena Shaw, Freddy Cole, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, vibes master Stefon Harris, tenor saxophonist David Sánchez, vocalist Claudia Acuña, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, pianist Mulgrew Miller, alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and the Grammy award-winning singer and percussionist, Poncho Sanchez. BET Jazz will televise performances and other highlights from the festival in the spring of 2006.
“We are looking forward to a good time,” remarked Amelia Vanterpool- Kubisch, Anguilla’s Director of Tourism, who said the festival will attract audiences from both within and outside the Caribbean region.
“The first part of November is really when things begin to happen for the (tourist) season. A number of hotels were closed during the months of September and October, and we are using this time to generate more business for the island. That’s been the goal of the festival from the start … it’s still very much in the infancy stages but we have high hopes for it.”
Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BET Digital Networks, said “Anguilla is an ideal destination for this kind of niche event. The straight ahead jazz enthusiast is sophisticated and affluent and BET Jazz has successfully captured this consumer’s attention with the Anguilla Tranquility Jazz Festival. Travel packages booked from our marketing efforts have significantly increased and finding a room on the island is now a challenge! Not a bad problem to have this time of year!”
Vanterpool-Kubisch placed value on the destination’s partnership with BET which helps to expose the island to international audiences with a variety tastes and spending power. “We are happy to be partnering with BET, they attract a mix of viewers. Anguilla is positioned as an upscale destination but we are cognizant that there is a wide range of product – upscale as well as mid to budget; so we want to get the message across that it’s not only for the luxury traveler but also for those who are looking for budget type accommodations.” She said she was pleased with the profile of Anguilla in the marketplace. “We ended the year on a very positive note and the indications are that things for the upcoming season are looking very good as well.”
Anguilla is a pristine and private escape wrapped in a beautiful and brilliant turquoise sea. The island features 33 stunning, powder-soft white sand beaches, warm and friendly people, a wide range of first- class lodging options, activities, and entertainment that provides visitors with fun long into the night and beyond.
To learn more about Anguilla and the Tranquility Jazz Festival, visit www.anguilla-vacation.com and www.anguillajazz.org.
