The JAMAICA Jazz And Blues Festival 2009 Countdown Begins

Kingston, Jamaica:-If you haven’t blocked out the dates January 22-24 yet, it’s time you get with the groove of things. The JAMAICA Jazz & Blues Festival will take over The Aqueduct in Montego Bay yet again, and the wheels are now officially in motion, following its Jamaica launch on the East Lawns of Devon House on Tuesday December 9, 2008.


The event was attended by tourism officials, including the Minister of Tourism Hon. Ed Bartlett and Tourism Deputy Director Zachary Harding, sponsors, and a host of local and international media. Also sharing in the event was Chairman of Air Jamaica Shirley Williams, and Consul General to New York Geneive Brown. The event was also attended by Reggae superstar Shaggy and singer extraordinaire Richie Stevens. The launch of the JAMAICA Jazz & Blues Festival cemented the event’s assimilation into the tourism product and is now being touted as not merely a stage show or concert... but instead (an experience).


In an evening characterised by premium drinks, gourmet food – something the ‘Jazz’ crowd has come to expect – remarks by tourism big-wigs, sponsors, and great music from Harold Davis and friends which featured performances from Nadje Leslie, Dwayne Foster. Patrons were also treated to a very creative expression from the Tony Wilson dancers. The evening event highlighted the fact that the JTB is now title sponsor of one of the most anticipated items on Jamaica’s entertainment scene.


“The festival is much more than a concert,” Walter Elmore, CEO of TurnKey Productions – organisers of the festival said. “The event is now an experience, a Jamaican experience.” The Aqueduct will come alive for the three days of the Festival, with great performances from Lionel Richie, Estelle Maxi, Priest, Robin Thicke, Atlantic Starr, Chicago, Los Van Van, Nikki Yanofsky, The OJays, Alto Reed’s Blues Entourage, Lou Gramm, Randy Crawford & Joe Sample, Matisyahu and others.


The 2009 JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival presented by Air Jamaica will be staged at the historic Aqueduct in Montego Bay from Thursday, January 22 to Saturday, January 24. Festival tickets will be on sale at Acropolis Gaming & Entertainment Centre, Coral Cliff Entertainment, El Paso Records, Fairview Texaco, Fontana Pharmacy, Paymaster Outlets, Rory’s Texaco, and the Villagio Gaming & Entertainment Centre.



For more log on to: www.jamaicajazzandblues.com.