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20th May 2000:
The Grand Finale
Well that was it. By all accounts the biggest and the best St. Lucia jazz festival that ever there was. All those stars, all that jazz and hardly a hitch worth mentioning. The organisers deserve a pat on the back for their hard work. It really paid off. We're still reeling from the sheer splendour of it all, with hardly time to catch our breath before launching into this year's carnival season.
Yes, its hard work having so much fun!
We hope that all of you who visited the island had a wonderful time and that you will be back next year. Why not bring a friend next time? The more the merrier, and there's more than enough jazz to go around. By the way, any of you coming back to jump carnival?
Our local musicians really held their own in a world-class line-up and made every St. Lucian proud. That's you Boo, Barbara/Sisterhood, Mervyn, Carl, Soujourn (Teddyson John special mention below), Monty, Allison, Pan Fusion, Luther... and all those who are going to get 'vex' because I didn't mention them.
Talking about 'vex' here's what Patti Labelle had to say about her non-appearance at the '99 jazzfest; "Ladies and gentlemen, I want y'all to know that it wasn't my fault for not coming last year. I was never told anything about this. Nobody told me anything, so please don't hate me" ... Patti, don't worry. We not vex. We done forget dat long time.
I mentioned Teddyson John - now there's a story to make you smile! During Patti Labelle's Sunday finale performance at a packed Pigeon Island, the diva asked several members of the audience to join her on stage for a singing session. The guys gave it their best shot, but according to The Star newspaper, some were singing 'notes that have not yet appeared on any musical score'. One young man complained that his throat was too dry to sing, but that he had a friend who would happily take his place. Enter Teddyson John. Well could mate sing? Let's just say that following his performance, John (recently-joined lead singer of the band 'Soujourn') was approached by several record producers, one of whom described him as 'the best raw talent I've seen in a long time'. A star is born.
So that's it for another year.
Listen out for your favourite local performers of this year's jazz festival on the newly launched 'St. Lucia Online Radio'.
Memories are made of this: http://www.slucia.com/radio
18th March 2000:
Patti Labelle - New Pigeon Island headliner
Jazz organisers have altered the line-up for this year's festival with the suprise addition of an extra artiste. Patti Labelle replaces Gladys Knight as the festival's headliner on Sunday, 14th May at the Pigeon Island National landmark . The rest of the line-up for the Sunday finale remains unchanged.
Ms Labelle was to have performed at last year's jazz festival, however she cancelled her appearance, following doctor's orders. This year Ms Labelle approached the festival organisers with an offer that they did not refuse.
Gladys Knight will now perform on Saturday 13th May at the Pigeon Island venue [see festival program].
New jazz venue anounced
The Half Yellow Moon pub in Rodney Bay will host two shows during this year's jazz festival activities. The first show on Friday, 12th May will feature Jovan Jackson, with another show on Saturday 13th May featuring Richard Bona [see festival program].
8th March 2000:
Hyatt Regency St. Lucia Host Hotel for Jazz 2000
Hyatt Regency St. Lucia has recently been announced as the host hotel for the 2000 St. Lucia Jazz Festival. It's a natural marriage between the island's newest resort and the St. Lucia Tourist Board, organisers of what is widely considered one of the world's finest music festivals. The usual spectacular lineup has been announced for this year's Festival - which will be staged 6-14 May. The Board's partnership with Hyatt promises to help the event be a great success.
Vocalists Lou Rawls and Brenda Russell will perform at Hyatt Regency St. Lucia during the Jazz Festival. The resort will provide accommodation for the two stars, international press and celebrities. Accommodating everyone at the five-star, 284-room luxury resort will make it especially convenient and enjoyable for the guests. The Hyatt is superbly located adjacent to the main venue, the historic Pigeon Island National Park.
The resort will play a major role in the Festival. General Manager Dale McDaniel states that he welcomes the opportunity to become involved with one of the island's main marketing events so soon after the hotel opening on April 14, 2000.
Jazz Festival 2000 launched on 14th January at the Half Yellow Moon Pub in Rodney Bay. Featured artists this year include:
Ottmar Liebert, Lou Rawls, Randy Crawfrod, James Ingram, Brenda Russell, Herbie Hancock with Joe Lovano, Stanley Jordan, Gladys Knight, Monty Alexander, Los Van Van, Richard Bona, George Duke with Chante Moore, Joe Sample with Lala Hathaway, Hubert Laws, Keith Sweat, SpyroGyra, Hiroshima, Sisterhood, Boo Hinkson.
Two additional shows have been added at Pigeon Island and the town of Soufriere is also on the list of new venues this year. Jazz events in Vieux Fort, Laborie and at beautiful Balembouche Estate also continue this year. The new Hyatt Regency Hotel located on the Pigeon Island Causeway is to be the official hotel sponsor.
Jazz organisers this year are taking greater precautions to reduce the likelihood of artist cancellations and avoid a repeat of last year's debacle. Last year's last-minute cancellations included Lionel Ritchie, Deborah Cox, Patti Labelle, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole and even as the festival was underway, news came in that that Erica Badu would not be able to fulfill her commitment. Negotiations this year are said to involve the artist's managers instead of just their booking agents as has previously been the case.
Super-model Tyra Banks was expected to put in an appearance at the official launch of Jazz Festival 2000. Ms. Banks who is in St. Lucia on assignment with Essence magazine was however unable to attend the function having apparently done a sunset photo-shoot in the town of Soufriere on the same day.
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