Preparations are at full steam for the Grenada Spice Jazz Festival

The sixth annual Grenada Spice Jazz Festival, to be held this year from May 31 to June 8, will be spicing up the Caribbean music scene. Unlike previous years, the 2003 event will focus strictly on local and regional Caribbean talent, rather than international artists from outside of the region.

This new format will also help differentiate the Grenada event from other numerous jazz festivals held throughout the Caribbean. In addition to some of the hottest jazz, the 2003 Grenada Spice Jazz Festival will also present local culinary arts and indigenous arts and crafts.

Two of the featured performers this year include Fab 5 from Jamaica and Len Berkley, an internationally-acclaimed Grenadian who will perform along with the Maurice Gordon Quintet and Najee. “Grenadian Jazz Masters” is a new feature being introduced at this year´s festival and will include gifted Grenadian jazz artists such as Dawn Mitchell, Steve Scipio, Enoch Mitchell, George Cummings, Aden Slinger and Lincoln Morgan and Interlude.

The Grenada Spice Jazz Festival has been creating an impression on the music festival scene in the Caribbean since its inception in 1998. Highlights from previous festivals include performances by the legendary Roberta Flack, George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Gerald Albright, Regina Belle and Freddie Jackson, just to name a few.

All performances will take place at designated indoor and outdoor venues on the island. Together with the main events, there will be a gradual buildup to the finale including theatre, dance and other shows at smaller venues. There will also be after-jam sessions at various venues for those who wish to continue to party the night away. Admission will be priced from approximately $10 - $15 per person, per event, with some events offering free admission.

Several hotels will also offer special room rates during the festival such as Gem Holiday Beach Resort, which is offering rooms for as low as $50.00 per night. For more information, please contact the resort at (473) 444-4224 or at www.gembeachresort.com