ST. LUCIA – St. Lucia’s Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Senator, the Honourable Allen Chastanet feels Saint Lucia Jazz needs to take on a different role than it has in the past.
Speaking at the launch of the 2007 Festival Tuesday (February 20) night the Minister said Saint Lucia Jazz appears to have become too big and that at the end of the day it is all a matter of economics.
“The Festival was originally started to be able to put saint Lucia on the map, to differentiate Saint Lucia from the other destinations in the Caribbean and to fill a void on our calendar when we traditionally have very low business and I have to say that if you look back and on reflection, the Jazz festival has been able to achieve that and more. But at the end of the day an event can become too big and therefore the returns it is going to generate are really lost because it becomes that extra dollar that you’re spending in which you are not going to get a return and in my opinion the Jazz festival has reached that point.”
Senator, Honourable Allen Chastanet
St. Lucia’s Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation
Mr. Chastanet said the festival will however continue to make a significant contribution to Saint Lucia as a tourism destination. He added that the festival must not be allowed to become just a music festival and should stick to the core of jazz.
Among the artistes that will grace the festival are John Legend, Tania Maria, Isaac Hayes and Ronald “Boo” Hinkson.
The Chamber of Commerce will continue to produce Jazz on the Square.
Locations and acts revealed are: For Fond D’or Jazz on May 5th: Barbara Cadet, Monty Maxwell, Ronald “boo” Hinkson, Fuego Latino and headliner –Exile one. At the Jazz in the south May 6th event, the headliner is Kali from Martinique. Also performing will be Prolifik, Emerson Nurse and Mamai Lakai.
Jazz in the south on May 9th will feature Nicole David, Charly Trio and Laborie steel pan.
Jazz on the square from May 7-11th will feature sally and KK Elwin, Ronald “boo” Hinkson, Barbara Cadet, Rob Taylor and school of music – Black Antz.
Pigeon Island National Landmark will come to life on Thursday May 10th with Brazilian Pianist – Tania Maria. Also performing will be Dave Murray and the Gwo Ka Masters and W.E.S.
This year’s Saint Lucia Jazz runs from May 4-13.
