Jamaica Adds Island Spice To Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Monty Alexander Concert On Saturday, October 3rd

Pre-Concert Jamaican Festival to Feature Food, Music, Arts & Crafts and Fun!

NEW YORK – The Jamaica Tourist Board will host a pre-concert event to celebrate Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander’s much anticipated return to The Allen Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Titled Harlem – Kingston Express, the concerts are on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3, 2009 with the pre-concert festival on Saturday, October 3 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Attendees will be able to experience a little bit of Jamaica during the festival that takes place in the glass-paneled Atrium with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and Columbus Circle at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located on Broadway at 60th Street in New York City.

The Jamaican Festival will shine the spotlight on an array of the islands products across the spectrum including hand made crafts from Simply Grafiq and Crochet by Rodgers, fashions from I Love JA, artist Courtney Morgan, cuisine from Spur Tree Restaurant and samples from Grace Foods and Busha Browne’s. Music will be provided by Jamaican drummer Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn in the traditional Jamaican ritual styles of Kumina, Pocomania, Tambu, Bruckins, and Nyabinghi.

Attendees will be able to plan their winter getaway at the event with the help of travel experts from the Jamaica Tourist Board as well as some leading resorts including Sandals, Beaches, Sunset Resorts, Half Moon and airline partners, JetBlue, and Air Jamaica. Jazz lovers will be able to learn about Jamaica as an exciting get-away that offers a unique and rich culture for everyone to enjoy!

“We are delighted to host this entertaining event and promote all that Jamaica has to offer to the New York jazz-loving community,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “This Jamaican Festival evening at Jazz at Lincoln Center provides the Jamaica Tourist Board with a great opportunity to share the latest destination news and gives us the ability to showcase our arts & crafts, delicious cuisine and friendly island spirit. Visitors to the pre-concert event will also have the chance to win a fabulous trip to beautiful Jamaica!”