Compared to the record crowd at Mindoo Phillip Park on April 30 for the opening of the 2014 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, the size of Sunday’s crowd did not match up. It was supposed to be the grande finale of the 12 day event which The Voice winner Tessanne Chin may have rescued with a brilliant performance. Also performing on that day which was topped up too heavy with acts was Monty Alexander, BlueMango, the Commodores, the virtually unknown Leela James and headliner Maxwell. And while the Commodores tried their best to stir up the crowd, one couldn’t help but hope that Lionel Richie would just show up. As for Maxwell, certainly he was no headliner and the crowd grew even more sparse halfway during his set.
The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival culminated with a weekend of events starting Friday where Jamaican reggae singer Barrington Levy stole the show. Saturday’s event at Pigeon Island featured the Latin sound of Elvis Crespo who had the audience dancing, as well as soul singer Kem and Nigerian brothers P-Square. And while the two were able to wet the appetites of music lovers Saturday night with their entertaining act, Sunday’s finale did not make that much of a great impression.
Check out the weekend STAR for an indepth review of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.(T.N)
The Jazz not what it use to be anymore. From Kenny G came there it’s been going down hill ever since. People not boarding planes to come hear Jazz in the islands like they use back in the day; combined with the fact that St Lucia is behind Gods Back airfares are rediculous. The lack of revenue to run infomercials on BET and the big name cooperate sponsors are not there anymore in abundance. You will need a big name to pull a good crowd , like a Celine Dion or Mariah Carey. Local are the ones spending a change and they would rather hear anything in creole singing ballet sole, ballet sole and some Reggae. Oh well.