I wondered why people would subject themselves to rainy, muddy fields when for a couple of hundred pounds extra you could have your pick of a beautiful Caribbean Island and a luxurious hotel along with a fabulous live musical experience. Let’s take a Caribbean musical tour:
October 10-11, 2008 - The Aruba Music Festival has been around since the 1980s, originally as a Jazz and Latin Music Festival but now transformed to include more genres of music for wider appeal. This year’s performers will include REO Speedwagon and Gloria Estefan. Previous performers have included Marc Anthony, Pat Benatar, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, and John Mayer. The Festival features one artist per night allowing for a more in-depth experience.
October 31 to November 2, 2008 - The World Creole Festival in Dominica held from the last Friday in October (International Creole Day) for three nights in an open air stadium. This festival is unique, offering lovers of Creole and Zouk Music - which have influences from Africa and the French Caribbean islands – a wide array of top musicians. The organisers usually mix in a little reggae and soca to provide a holistic Caribbean experience. In its 12th year, previous performers have included Kassav from Guadeloupe/ Martinique (one of the most popular Creole bands), Tabou Combo from Haiti and Michele Henderson from Dominica as well as Beres Hammond, Beenie Man and Wyclef Jean.
November 6 to 9, 2008 - The Tranquility Jazz Festival in Anguilla started in 2003, the four night pure jazz event includes a mixture of dinner sets at top resorts along with a Sunday afternoon open air “Jazz on the Beach” event at Sandy Ground. The 2008 line up includes Terence Blanchard, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Christian Scott. A luxurious event for jazz afficianados.
January 2009 - The Barbados Jazz Festival, usually held in the second week of January for six days, hosts some of the top names in jazz and R&B music. Performances are held at a large concert hall on the week day evenings as well as at more intimate venues around the pools of top resorts where dinner and drinks are part of the package. The vibes change at the weekend, at the open air daytime concerts in the grounds of the Farley Hill National Park where it is a picnic style family affair. In its 16th year, the festival has hosted Anita Baker, American Idol winner Ruben Studdard, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray, Patti Labelle and the late Luther Vandross as well as true jazz performances from Terence Blanchard, Herbie Hancock and Bob James.
January 2009 - Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was established in 1996 and is usually held on the last weekend in January. Past performers have included Spyro Gyro, Hugh Masakela, Mary J Blige, George Benson, James Ingram, and Michael McDonald.
April 2009 - The Plymouth Jazz Festival in Tobago, stormed onto the scene in 2005 with top musical acts over three nights at the end of April. In 2008 artists included Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, En Vogue, Shakira, and Smokey Robinson. In 2007 artists included Sir Elton John, Gladys Knight, and LL Cool J. In 2006, there was Sting, Patti Labelle, Sean “P Diddy” Combs and Vanessa Williams and in 2005, Stevie Wonder was the headline act along with Natalie Cole. Although not very jazz based despite its title, this festival brings together some of the best worldwide artists you could possibly wish to see at one sitting (or dancing).
May 2009 - The St. Lucia Jazz Festival, established in 1991, is one of the most well known jazz festivals in the Caribbean. Now entering its 18th year, the festival held in mid May, has evolved from a strong jazz tradition to a more modern mix of both jazz and R&B artists. Previous artists have included Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Roy Ayers, George Duke, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Randy Crawford, Boys II Men, Kenny G, Rihanna, Seal, Al Jarreau, the late Isaac Hayes, Air Supply, and Dionne Warwick.
The Festival encompasses a couple of weekends with lunchtime concerts throughout the islands, along with resort events. The final performances move to Pigeon Island, a stunning national park, with evening open air shows on the Thursday and Friday preceding all day open air picnic style events over the weekend.
June 2009 - Romantic Rhythms held in Antigua is the newest kid on the block. With its inaugural event in 2008, the Festival has a unique romantic theme for lovers invited to the island in the month of June, a time of
year typically popular for destination weddings and honeymoons. Music lovers certainly got their fill with top artists including Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Brian McKnight, Heather Headley, Keyshia Cole, Shaggy, Maxi Priest, Damian Marley and Musiq Soulchild.
June 2009 - The St. Kitts Music Festival in its 13th year is a great mix of musical styles. The four night festival has hosted top Caribbean artists including Arrow and Machel Montano; Reggae artists including the late Dennis Brown and Shaggy; R&B artists including Kool and the Gang, Isley Brothers, Ludacris, and Michael Bolton; and Gospel artists including Cece Winans, and Yolanda Adams.
July 2009 - The Turks and Caicos Music Festival commenced in 2004 and provides performances over the four nights of the Festival. 2008 artists included Billy Ocean, The Stylistics, Anita Baker, and Lou Gramm.
Each festival has its own style and flavour, and with each island offering great accommodation and attractions, you have the ultimate in choice. Let me know which Festivals you have been to and your top picks?
Lorraine Headley
Managing Director
Gee Gee Consulting
St. John's, Antigua
www.geegeeconsulting.com
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