The stage at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is a sight to behold, with a fully equipped main stage, smooth changes from band to band, and sensational performances. But it doesn't just happen without the expertise and know-how of an extensive team from TurnKey Productions that keeps everything running.

Behind the scenes, it takes months of preparation for the three-day show at the Aqueduct in Rose Hall, St James, to become the first-world, critically acclaimed, much-admired festival it has become. Next year, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will turn into a week-long explosion of 'The Art of Music' and plans are well advanced for another exceptional production.

Complex challenges

Robert Stewart, production manager for the festival, oversees the designs and rental of sound, lighting, staging, backline and video systems, as well as the hiring of the production staff. He has been working with the festival for years and has been contracted for the 2010 show.

"Producing the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival comes with a complex set of challenges. The solution to the challenge of producing a successful festival is a team of skilled professionals and a high level of organisation," said Stewart. "Audio engineers, lighting directors and designers, video projection technicians, spotlight operators and stage hands all play an important role in the production of the festival."

According to Stewart, he usually starts vetting the artiste production requirements four months in advance, before revving up the production schedule, which he said can get "extremely hectic" until the festival is complete.

The skills needed to stage such a grand production require a versatile and experienced crew. Behind the scenes, approximately 120 persons are involved in the direct production of the event, while the festival itself employs more than 1,000 persons.

Exciting changes

Throughout the years, the festival has seen performers from the likes of Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Air Supply, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, Kenny G, Erykah Badu, Dionne Warwick, Michael Bolton, Gladys Knight, among other timeless acts. With large bands, elaborate costume changes and elaborate shows, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues producers have learnt to deal with it all and keep on growing. According to Stewart, they will continue to adapt to new, exciting changes that the festival presents.

"We have to keep abreast of current technologies for use in the production of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. High-definition videos, digital audio consoles, digital show controls and the latest lighting fixtures are all used in the production of the festival," Stewart said.

The 2010 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival takes place from January 24-30.