From April 30 to May 8, 2011, the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival will be comprised of an international roster of renowned musicians from various genres including jazz, R&B, pop, soul and world music who herald from the US, UK, France, Africa and Saint Lucia. The festival will feature multiple complementary daily shows of acoustic, new age, jazz, soul, reggae, and R&B sounds held in a variety of locations and venues around the island – Jazz on the Square in Castries and Jazz in the South at locations in Vieux Fort and Laborie.
Headliners will perform at the main stage performances which will be held at Pigeon Island National Park and Gaiety in Rodney Bay, the island’s epicenter of musical entertainment, featuring local clubs, lounges and restaurants. Along with John Legend, this year’s musical acts include:
Trey Songz – The highly acclaimed R&B singer-songwriter Trey Songz debuted his first recording album in 2005 with I Gotta Make It followed by Trey Day (2007). His third album, Ready, was released in 2009 while his fourth studio album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure, was released in September 2010, all garnering him multiple BET and Grammy award nominations, including winning the 2010 BET Award for Best Male R&B Artist.
Ledisi – Singer/songwriter Ledisi returns to the jazz festival stage sharing highlights from her Grammy nominated albums Lost & Found and Turn Me Loose.
Regina Carter – American jazz violinist, Regina Carter, lauded as one of the finest violinists of her generation, will share African folk tunes from her newest album, Reverse Thread.
Bad Ass Brass – Formed in 2008, the band takes its influence from the sounds of traditional New Orleans brass bands but adds its own unique twist. The group won the opportunity to play at this year’s jazz festival through a Facebook contest in the UK hosted by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
Maceo Parker – American funk and jazz saxophonist, who had a long term association with the late, great James Brown, will get the audience dancing with hits from his latest album Roots &Grooves, which won a Jammie for best Jazz Album in 2009.
Saint Lucian Collective – An ensemble of Saint Lucian’s jazz icons who will perform a mélange of sweet pulsating Caribbean beats.
See below for performance schedule (click on image below to enlarge). For a full concert schedule, festival tickets and updates, visit the official Saint Lucia Jazz website, www.stluciajazz.org for more detailed festivities for the Main Stage, Jazz on the Grill, Jazz on the Pier, Jazz in the South, Jazz Rhythms at Rodney Bay Mall, and Tea Time Jazz.
Several resorts on the island will be celebrating the jazz festival with great deals and special packages. See below for the vast choices:
- Accommodations for two in a Superior Room
- Caribbean buffet breakfast daily
- Three-course dinner at Trios Restaurant (valid one night only)
- One day sail to Soufriere with complementary drinks and snorkel at Anse Cochon
- US$10.00 coupon, per person, redeemable at Treasure Bay Casino
- Complimentary transfers (one-way) from Bay Gardens Hotel to Pigeon Island Landmark for Main Stage Jazz Performance
- Bay Gardens Resorts’ Jazz Souvenir
- Rates: starting at US$990 based on double occupancy and includes all taxes
- Book by: May 8, 2011
- Travel April 30 through May 31, 2011
- 4th night free
- Includes breakfast, concierge, butler service
- Travel May 1 through May 20, 2011
- Five nights accommodations
- All meals included
- All beverages by the glass included
- One complementary spa treatment per adult
- One ticket to the Jazz concert of choice per adult
- Rates: starting at US$1010
- Book by: April 30, 2011
- Travel for any five night stay between April 30 to May 8, 2011
- Spend seven nights or more and receive complementary tickets for two to Jazz in the North
- Round trip transfer to Jazz Festival venue
- Includes breakfast, t-shirt, and round-trip shuttle arrangements to the Jazz venue of choice
- Book by: April 1, 2011
- Travel April 30 through May 8, 2011
- Receive 15% off rates
- Special rates for the following accommodations:
- Single occupancy US$55 per room per night plus taxes (max 1 person per)
- Double occupancy US$65 per room per night plus taxes (max 2 people per)
- Family room two beds US$90 per room per night plus taxes (max 4 people per)
- Two bedroom apartment US$125 per room per night plux taxes (max 4 people per)
- Single, double and family room rates are inclusive of continental breakfast per person
- Book by: April 15, 2011
- Travel April 24 through May 16, 2011
- Travel by boat from Marigot Bay to Pigeon Island
- 10% discount off normal rates
- Travel April 30 through May 8, 2011
- Stay seven nights and pay US$180 per night per villa
- Complementary arrival airport transfer
- Book by April 30, 2011
Visit http://bensconcierge.com/villa for more information
- Water taxi roundtrip to Castries
- Complementary beverage on route to Jazz Festival
- Daily breakfast for two
- Ocean view villa and pool
- Rates: starting at US$450 per couple inclusive of taxes
- Book by: April 30, 2011
- Travel April 1 through May 31, 2011
- Special rates for the following accommodations:
- Deluxe Downtown View US$65
- Sea/Piton View US$75
- Royal Suites US$85
- Soufriere Suites US$95
- Family Suites US$110
- Rates are subject to 18% tax
- Book by: April 30, 2011
- Travel through May 8, 2011
- 15% off rates
- Breakfast daily
- Complementary golf
- Complementary spa treatment (conditions apply)
- Althurium Lily Suites
- Daily breakfast buffet
- Round trip airport/hotel transfers
- Rates: starting at US$465 per night double occupancy includes taxes and service charges
- Travel through May 9, 2011
- Stay five nights and enjoy the sixth night free
- Stay 12 nights and pay for ten
- Upon check-out, receive a gift certificate for credit on next trip to Zamacà Saint Lucia Bed & Breakfast
- Breakfast is included in rate
- Rates: starting at US$112.10 per night per double occupancy
- Book by: April 10, 2011
- Travel April 28 through May 10, 2011*
- *Extension of stay upon request
For more information about the island of Saint Lucia; its product offerings and resort vacation packages, visit www.saintlucianow.com.
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago. The “Helen of the West Indies,” Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties.
