By Justin Whyte, Senior Staff ReporterAIR JAMAICA'S Jazz Blues Festival will definitely be held between February 7-10, 2002, at a venue to be decided upon in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, St. James, organisers tell The Gleaner.
The festival, which began four years ago, had its last renewal in January 2000 in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. However, when the show is being held next February, it will be under the auspices of Black Entertainment Television (BET).
According to information reaching The Gleaner, Air Jamaica will fly in all the artistes for the festival and be responsible for all the local arrangements, including seeking sponsorship, marketing and promotion. BET will have the responsibility for artistes' contracts, programming and overseas marketing.
A Gleaner source said that Air Jamaica is quite appreciative of BET to have come on board in this big way. The source also said that BET, in co-operation with Air Jamaica in planning the programme, will be looking at events which will stimulate travel to the island, considering what is happening in air travel.
With this in mind, they are looking at three nights of classy entertainment. It is also being proposed that there be an indoor event at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on the Thursday night prior to the start of the festival
Air Jamaica is also reportedly having discussions with owners of nightclubs along the Gloucester Avenue Hip Strip in Montego Bay, with a view of having after-show jams during the jazz weekend. There is also a proposal to have a street soca jam on Saturday, February 9.
The Gleaner tried to reach Paxton Baker at BET, who has responsibility for organising the festival, but was unsuccessful.
