Posted by Martei Korley
The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is wrapping up its three days of revelry in Montego Bay tonight. Rather than actually focusing on strictly Jazz and Blues, the annual event incorporates Pop, RnB, and your occasional Reggae artist. Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is the second large stageshow of the year in the J’can almanac, following immediately on the heels of Rebel Salute.
But they are very different in scope: Where Rebel Salute is a one-night decidedly Roots & Culture event, ‘Jazz’ is stretched over a leisurely three-day schedule. With its satellite venues in up-scale hotels and generally plusher settings, it attracts a different crowd as well.
The 40.000+ patrons help to make festival a success every year. This in part due to the fact that many patrons fly in for the experience, thus boosting the local tourist economy. Still, a large number of revelers make the trek faithfully from Kingston annually to enjoy Jamaica’s second city, great culinary experiences and an easy-going atmosphere.
Among the performers in the 2010 line-up are: Roy Ayers, Monty Alexander, The Whispers, Joe Roy Jackson, Maxi Priest and more.