20th anniversary draws top musicians from around the world
CASTRIES, Saint Lucia – In celebration of the 20th anniversary, six time Grammy winner and multi-Platinum artist John Legend will headline this year’s Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. Singer, songwriter and pianist, Legend has sold more than five million albums worldwide, garnered multiple hit singles (“Ordinary People,” “Used to Love U,” “So High,” “Save Room,” “Heaven,” “Another Again”) and has received countless awards. Legend demonstrates a rare ability to fuse classic old school soul music with the edgy flavor of 21st century hip-hop.
(File Photo) John Legend
From April 30 to May 8, 2011, this year’s festival lineup is comprised of an international roster of renowned musicians from jazz, R&B, pop, soul and world music from the United States, UK, France, Africa and Saint Lucia, including:
* Ledisi – Singer-songwriter Ledisi returns to the jazz festival stage sharing highlights from her Grammy nominated albums Lost & Found and Turn Me Loose.
* Regina Carter – American jazz violinist, Regina Carter, lauded as one of the finest violinists of her generation, will share African folk tunes from her newest album, Reverse Thread.
* Bad Ass Brass – Influenced from the sounds of traditional New Orleans brass bands but adding their own unique twist, the group won the opportunity to play at this year’s jazz festival through a contest in the UK hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
* Maceo Parker – American funk and jazz saxophonist, who had a long term association with the late, great James Brown, will perform hits from his latest album Roots & Grooves, which won a Jammie for best Jazz Album in 2009.
* Saint Lucian Collective – An ensemble of Saint Lucian’s jazz icons who will perform a melange of sweet pulsating Caribbean beats.
“As the leading and longest running jazz event in the Caribbean, year after year we welcome thousands of visitors from all corners of the globe to our legendary island to celebrate the premier voices in the music industry,” said Saint Lucia Tourist Board Director of Tourism Louis Lewis. “We’re thrilled to be marking our 20th anniversary with another sensational lineup. Combined with our world-class resorts, unique activities, exotic cuisine, unspoiled nature and warm people, this is still the best party in the Caribbean.”
The festival will have multiple complimentary daily shows of acoustic, new age, jazz, soul, reggae, and R&B sounds held in a variety of locations and venues around the island, including Jazz on the Square in Castries and Fond d’Or Jazz in Dennery. Headliners will perform at the main stage performances which will be held at Pigeon Island National Park and Gaiety in Rodney Bay, the island’s epicenter of musical entertainment, featuring local clubs, lounges and restaurants.
Several resorts on the island will be celebrating the jazz festival with special packages. For a full concert schedule, festival tickets and updates, visit the official Saint Lucia Jazz website www.stluciajazz.org. For information on accommodations and attractions visit www.saintlucianow.com.
