Montego Bay Gears Up for Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in January

The 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, to be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from January 25 to 27, promises to be the best ever, according to Air Jamaica senior executive George de Mercado, who along with event producers, hosted members of the international press last week in New York to announce the beginnings of the lineup for the 10th anniversary of the festival.

Christopher Cross, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, Monty Alexander, Pieces of a Dream and a star-studded reggae lineup, including Freddie McGregor, Shaggy and Wayne Wonder, have confirmed so far, said festival producer Walter Elmore of Turnkey Productions.

Speaking at the most appropriate venue for the announcement, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Grill, Mr. de Mercado said the 2007 festival is going to be sine qua non. “It is going to blow everybody’s mind... those of you who’ve been, know what I’m talking about; those of you who haven’t been, have no idea what you’re missing,” said de Mercado.

Mr. de Mercado said Air Jamaica is delighted to continue to be the title sponsor of the festival which attracted more than 40,000 people last year.

David Shields, Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Tourism, added that over the past ten years, the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival has contributed to the cultural fabric of Jamaica. He observed that 52 percent of those surveyed at this year’s event were repeat attendees and 92 percent indicated that they would like to return. He thanked Turnkey Productions for their professionalism, and tour operators for their contribution to Jamaica’s growth in visitor arrivals this year.

In addition to the music, Sandals Resorts chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart and Michele Rollins of Rose Hall Developments Limited, will be honored during next year’s festival.