Babyface shines at Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival

The Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival once again proved why it has developed a reputation as one of the premier international music festivals. Since its inception 14 years ago, it has never failed to offer a delightful mix of talented performers, representing a variety of genres. It is one of the few venues where you’ll find a line-up sure to satisfy the tastes of even the most discriminating music aficionados.



With the likes of such music luminaries as the legendary Gladys Knight, Kennenth “Babyface” Edmonds, Hall & Oates, Billy Ocean, Erykah Badu, and Third World all performing during this year’s festival organizers has turned “The Art of Music” into a science.

For three fun filled nights Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny, Jamaica was transformed into a magical setting which touched the mind, body, and soul of an appreciative audience.

Latoya Reid of Jamaica Queens, N.Y. was among those in attendance who came to get her groove on. This was her forth trip to the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. Although she was impressed by Kelly Price and Deborah Cox not surprisingly; she said that ”Babyface” delivered a sterling performance on the festival’s first night, with his special brand of music designed with the ladies in mind. She said Anita Baker gave her most memorable performances since she had been attending the annual festival over the years.

“Babyface definitely connected with the audience. His energy gravitated to his audience, he commanded your attention,” said Reid.

Racquel Wallace, originally from Kingston, Jamaica traveled from her home in Port St. Lucie, Fla. to take in the show for the first time. She vowed that it would not be her last. The nursing student attended the festival on Thursday and Saturday night.

“I thought Babyface put on the best show. I also liked Marion Hall (aka Lady Saw,) I wish that they would have let her be the persona that she’s known for because that’s our culture. I definitely plan to return next year.”

The festival traditionally has been held in Montego Bay but was moved to Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny -just a stones throw away from Montego Bay. Festival organizers sighted economic factors as well as more accommodating parking facilities as among the determining factors which prompted the move.



Joy Schaaf for one was in agreement with the change in venue as she mixed a little business with pleasure while taking in the show. Schaaf, the Director of Marketing for Air Jamaica’s South Florida’s Regional Office felt the decision to move the festival turned out well.



“I was very impressed with the stadium conversion. It didn’t feel like you were in a stadium.



It really had a really good vibe- real smooth.”



Richard Lue the production coordinator for the show and one of the original producers of the festival; explained why changing the venue made sense from a practical standpoint.



“The new venue is a phenomenal facility as far as enhancing customer comfort it was great because of its actual stadium amenities.



Tourism is the number one industry for the island nation. The Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival provides a winning combination by drawing tourist from around the world to this tropical paradise in search of the best in music entertainment in a tourist friendly atmosphere which houses some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and hotel resorts. When you put all those elements together you have a recipe for success which provides a much needed economic boost to the Jamaican local economy, generating millions of dollars in tourism revenue.



Jason Hall is the deputy director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourism Board, the title sponsor of the event. He reiterated the vital importance of the festival from a number of standpoints.



“Events such as this are a critical part of our tourism mix. They provide to generate tourism expenditures. These events allow for expansion which spends off into the community. Practically every hotel from Negril to Ocho Rios is at full occupancy as a result of the festival. The festival also is beneficial from a public relations stand-point generating additional exposure to the island. This helps in the positioning of Jamaica as a destination not just for music events but also sports tourism-faith based tourism-adventure tourism-the list goes on and on.”



Most notably among the hotel resorts located in and around the festival include: Rose Hall, Iberostar, Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay and the Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios.



It almost wouldn’t be fair to try to pick the best performance of the festival with the likes of Gladys Knight, Hall & Oates, Billy Ocean, Babyface, and Erykah Badu gracing the stage of the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival however; it’s easy to see why couples like retires Pat and Bill Smith traveled from Vero Beach, Fla. to attend the show.



“Overall I think the music was great and the crowd was really into it. I was pretty far away from the stage however so the monitors helped us to enjoy the show,” said Smith.