St. Lucia Set for Musical Jazz Explosion Next Month

St. Lucian hotelier Fell Chastanet is hopeful the 2009 Jazz festival, slated from May 2 to 10, will be a big draw for the traveling public with British Grammy-winning stars Amy Wine house and Estelle recently added to a stellar line-up of musical greats, including Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, James Ingram and Babe Weans.

Chastanet, managing director of the boutique Coco Palm property in Rodney Bay, said the decision to feature Wine house –who won five Grammies at the 2008 awards and whose absence from the United States entertainment arena has been noticeable- has generated great attention and press coverage for the upcoming festival, especially in the mainstream entertainment media in North America.

Set to perform on Pigeon Island’s main stage on Thursday, May 7 will be Jamaica’s Original Wailers, the former reggae band of Bob Marley; Grammy winner Angelique Kinjo from Benin; and the popular French Antillean group Cassava.

On Friday, May 8, Amy Wine house, KC and the Sunshine Band and local singer Shayne Ross have been confirmed.

Saturday’s line-up features the legendary George Duke who will team with Grammy winners Babe Weans and James Ingram as well as Jeffrey Osborne and Teddy son John. Also on Saturday’s program are “Boo” Hinson, Michel Albertan, Estelle and Michael McDonald.
George Duke returns on Sunday to support performances by Grammy winners Patti Labelle and Chaka Khan as well as local singing sensation Nicole David. The UK-based Fate Sister; a local Pan Jazz band with Allison Marquis; famous American rock band Chicago; and reggae sensation Beers Hammond complete the line-up.

Slated for the indoor venue at Gaiety in Rodney Bay on Tuesday, May 5 are Jamaica’s Monty Alexander Jazz and Roots as well as a Dean Fraser ensemble. On Wednesday, May 6 at Gaiety, The Luther François and Emerson Nurse Quintet from St. Lucia as well as Barbara Cadet and Frenchman Haled Cohen will take center stage.