Local Tourist Board Launches the St. Lucia Jazz

Last week, the St. Lucia Tourist Board launched the world famous St. Lucia Jazz which, now into its 16th year and slated from May 4 to 13, has undergone some major changes in the way it is to be managed and produced by the Board.

The St. Lucia private sector has been given the opportunity to stage and finance their own shows, following the issuance of new policy directives from the Ministry of Tourism. The only venue that will come under the direct management of the Board is Pigeon Island.

This year, St Lucia Jazz will feature John Legend, Al Jarreau and George Benson, W.E.S. Group, David Murray, Tania Maria, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Norman Brown, Jonathan Butler and Isaac Hayes. The headliner for Sunday May 13 will be announced shortly.

Director of the St. Lucia Tourist Board, Maria Fowell said they really wanted to return to the core musical genre, hence the reason for the heavy smooth jazz influence this year.

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Senator Allen Chastanet, said St. Lucia Jazz has become a premium event and so they will create the wow factor for patrons when they enter Pigeon Island to attend the shows.