St. Lucia´s Bumper Jazz Festival Kicked Off Friday

The Caribbean island nation of St Lucia is now enduring a pleasant assault of visitors that over the next two weeks will perform at St. Lucia Jazz, the region´s most longstanding jazz festival that opened in the capital city of Castries this weekend.

St Lucia Minister of Tourism, Philip Pierre said hotel bookings are strong, the venues are hot, and the people of St Lucia are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the festival.

Trinidad and Tobago´s soca star Machel Montano, who dominated the 2006 Trinidad and Tobago carnival season, and Jamaica reggae group T.O.K., were the top acts for the opening this Friday.

Britain´s Seal and other artistes like Babyface, Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, the Reverend Al Green, Freddy Cole, Kenny Garrett, Ciara, Rihanna, the Jazz Guitar Trio, Michael Boothman and Stanley Jordan will perform on the main stage on Pigeon Island this week.

Since its establishment in 1992, St Lucia Jazz has grown in magnitude and stature to become one of the preeminent Jazz festivals in the world, featuring multiple shows daily, ranging from acoustic, to new age and straight-ahead jazz, soul, fusion and R & B.