By Adrian Frater, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
STARVED OF high quality entertainment since the 10th renewal of Reggae Sumfest nearly six months ago, anticipation is now high in Montego Bay as the city embraces the 'Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2003', slated for Wyndham Rose Hall between January 30 and February 1.
Like last year's staging, which featured a rich blend of both local and international stars, this year's festival will once again be a joint venture between the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), which is pumping US$150,000 into the event; and the Black Entertainment Television (BET), which will be bringing the event into the homes of millions of viewers.
"We have a great deal of faith in the fusion of tourism and entertainment and we are looking forward to this event with great optimism," said Dr. Wykeham McNeill, the State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism. "We think this event has the potential to bring a considerable number of visitors to Jamaica."
Like Minister McNeill, tourism interests in western Jamaica, especially in Montego Bay, are looking forward to welcoming the jazz and blues aficionados who are expected to visit the western city. It is being anticipated that there will be a significant increase in hotel bookings, which should be a plus for the city's economy.
"We are already seeing increases in hotel bookings and as an industry, we are quite pleased," said businessman Godfrey Dyer, the chairman of the Montego Bay Chamber of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association. "Our hope is that we will have more events of this nature as a means of attracting more visitors."
If the star-studded line-up is anything to go by, the event should be every bit as exciting as last year's event, which featured the likes of R&B giant Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, the energetic and vocally explosive Angelique Kidjo, international gospel star Yolanda Adams and reggae's premier hit-maker Beres Hammond.
The festival's line-up includes internationally renowned performers Jeffrey Osborne, Al Jarreau, Angie Stone, Smokey Robinson, The Spinners, Courtney Pine, Soneros de Verdad, as well as local guitar maestro Ernest Ranglin, 'Monty' Alexander and Toots and the Maytals
The versatile Jarreau, a native of Milwaukee, looks all set to steal the spotlight. With the distinction of being the only vocalist in history to have won Grammy Awards in three separate categories (Jazz, Pop and R&B), he is arguably one of hottest stars of the modern era.
"I am not 'dissing' reggae but I am a jazz and R&B woman," said jazz fan, Marcia Simpson. "I'm not into too much dancing; I just love to be overwhelmed by the music."
