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| Christopher Martin |
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| Tessanne Chin |
Jamaica Jazz and Blues was conceptualized to increase the numbers of passengers travelling to Jamaica by Allen Chastenet, former Vice President of Air Jamaica. The event was envisioned to encourage visitors to come to Jamaica. In the first years, the Festival was held in November and October, dates chosen to fulfil the objective of increasing visitor arrivals to the island during the soft tourist season. In 1999 there was no Festival as this proved to be a decision year as to the future of the Festival. Rain had haunted the event year after year, resulting in either cancellation or shortening of performances, and this combined with the worry about decreasing sponsorship for the event, created grave concerns for the organisers. Hence, after serious consideration the decision was made to postpone the Festival January 20-23, 2000 became the new dates, a period which now marks what is now considered to the kick off of the Jamaican entertainment calendar.
More recent news on the Jamaica and Blues Festival....
013/01/14 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Developing Ja's Music Talent
Walter Elmore, producer of the world renown music festival, Jamaica Jazz and blues said regarding this year's stage of the event "we have decided to reintroduce the live music audition process to give Jamaicans an opportunity to be exposed..." read more