By Claude Wilson
Thousands of overseas visitors will descend on Jamaica tourism capital, Montego Bay, for the January 22 -24, 2009 staging of Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival which, according to the event planners, is gearing up to be even more electrifying than in previous years.
Rebranded Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, the 2009 event is expected to live up to its reputation of being the premier event on the Caribbean's entertainment calendar.
Grammy award winner Lionel Ritchie, designated the headline act, London's effervescent and multi-talented new artiste, Estelle, and 80s hit-makers Atlantic Starr are just some of the acts that will grace the Rose Hall Aqueduct venue at the upcoming Festival.
Formerly Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, the 2009 event, and here after, will assume the Jamaica brand endorsement under the aegis of title sponsor, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
“The change has given the Jamaica brand prime placement, a move which is expected to aid in positioning Jamaica as a premier event destination," says Walter Elmore, President of Turn- Key Productions, the current promoter and producer of the festival.
“We are excited about the name change as it reflect the confidence that the Jamaica Tourist Board has placed in us to stage a world class event which is worthy to be associated with the brand JAMAICA.," he continued. Air Jamaica, original owner and promoter of the festival, remains a committed partner to the event and will be the presenting sponsor of the event.
Supporting Lionel Ritchie at the top of the bill, Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival brings to the tourist resort 70s chart-topping, R&B group the O'Jays, whose I Love Music, and Love Train are unforgettable and ageless classics. Celebrating 50 years as a performing group, the O'Jays' debut in Jamaica promises to be spectacular as the Eddie Levert led group will be using this Jamaica performance to produce an anniversary DVD.
Vocalist Randy Crawford, accompanied by pianist Joe Sample, is also expected to be a hit with the audience. The two have had a long history starting with the 1979 classic Street Life recorded with the instrumental jazz-oriented group, the Crusaders, of which Sample was a member.
Reggae decidedly will be on the Jazz & Blues (and R&B soul) bill with the appearance of the legendary reggae superstar Maxi Priest who will use this performance as the launch pad for his new album which is schedule to hit the streets early 2009.
Alto Reed, renown saxophonist of rocker Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band, will perform alongside several other legendary musicians as Alto Reed and the Blues Entourage. And, Lou Gramm, former lead singer of the group Foreigner, well known for such hits as Midnight Blue, I Want To Know What Love Is, I Don't Want to Live Without You, will add musical flair to the 2009 event.
For an encore, 14 year-old Canadian sensation, Nikki Yanofsky returns after an unforgettable, scintillating appearance at festival last year. The teen is currently a top-selling recording artiste in Canada and, at the New York press conference, Nikki promised to once again deliver a sizzling set.
Traditionally known for presenting a creative mix of musical genre on its world-class stage, the 2009 festival will feature a Cuban band, Los Van Van, whose music is a fusion of rock, funk, hip-hop, disco and Afro-Cuban sound.
It's undoubtedly, Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2009 will deliver all that is expected and more to the 40,000 plus patrons, comprising Jamaicans and fun seeking visitors from the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean, predicted to be in Montego Bay for the region biggest music festival.
Thousands of overseas visitors will descend on Jamaica tourism capital, Montego Bay, for the January 22 -24, 2009 staging of Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival which, according to the event planners, is gearing up to be even more electrifying than in previous years.
Rebranded Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, the 2009 event is expected to live up to its reputation of being the premier event on the Caribbean's entertainment calendar.
Grammy award winner Lionel Ritchie, designated the headline act, London's effervescent and multi-talented new artiste, Estelle, and 80s hit-makers Atlantic Starr are just some of the acts that will grace the Rose Hall Aqueduct venue at the upcoming Festival.
Formerly Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, the 2009 event, and here after, will assume the Jamaica brand endorsement under the aegis of title sponsor, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
“The change has given the Jamaica brand prime placement, a move which is expected to aid in positioning Jamaica as a premier event destination," says Walter Elmore, President of Turn- Key Productions, the current promoter and producer of the festival.
“We are excited about the name change as it reflect the confidence that the Jamaica Tourist Board has placed in us to stage a world class event which is worthy to be associated with the brand JAMAICA.," he continued. Air Jamaica, original owner and promoter of the festival, remains a committed partner to the event and will be the presenting sponsor of the event.
Supporting Lionel Ritchie at the top of the bill, Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival brings to the tourist resort 70s chart-topping, R&B group the O'Jays, whose I Love Music, and Love Train are unforgettable and ageless classics. Celebrating 50 years as a performing group, the O'Jays' debut in Jamaica promises to be spectacular as the Eddie Levert led group will be using this Jamaica performance to produce an anniversary DVD.
Vocalist Randy Crawford, accompanied by pianist Joe Sample, is also expected to be a hit with the audience. The two have had a long history starting with the 1979 classic Street Life recorded with the instrumental jazz-oriented group, the Crusaders, of which Sample was a member.
Reggae decidedly will be on the Jazz & Blues (and R&B soul) bill with the appearance of the legendary reggae superstar Maxi Priest who will use this performance as the launch pad for his new album which is schedule to hit the streets early 2009.
Alto Reed, renown saxophonist of rocker Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band, will perform alongside several other legendary musicians as Alto Reed and the Blues Entourage. And, Lou Gramm, former lead singer of the group Foreigner, well known for such hits as Midnight Blue, I Want To Know What Love Is, I Don't Want to Live Without You, will add musical flair to the 2009 event.
For an encore, 14 year-old Canadian sensation, Nikki Yanofsky returns after an unforgettable, scintillating appearance at festival last year. The teen is currently a top-selling recording artiste in Canada and, at the New York press conference, Nikki promised to once again deliver a sizzling set.
Traditionally known for presenting a creative mix of musical genre on its world-class stage, the 2009 festival will feature a Cuban band, Los Van Van, whose music is a fusion of rock, funk, hip-hop, disco and Afro-Cuban sound.
It's undoubtedly, Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2009 will deliver all that is expected and more to the 40,000 plus patrons, comprising Jamaicans and fun seeking visitors from the United States, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean, predicted to be in Montego Bay for the region biggest music festival.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
