The 25th edition of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will be officially launched here next week. This year’s event will be held April 29th to May 8th, 2016 and is expected to feature an eclectic mix of performers as well as an expose of the Saint Lucian culinary experience, art and craft, spoken word, dance and the return of “HOT Couture.” The launch of the 2016 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will be held on Tuesday January 12th and the organizers are keeping the line-up close to their chest until then. However, word is that the event will see the return of some past favourites as well as a few pop chart-busters. Performers will come from Saint Lucia, the wider Caribbean as well as North America, offering a wide range of genres including Jazz, Pop, Reggae, Soca, R&B and World Beat music. However, some Latin flare is expected to be one of the highlights of this year’s event with a major performer from that genre who has crossed over to pop music. Tuesday’s launch will be held at the Johnson’s Centre.