Yet another reason to visit the Caribbean paradise of St Lucia soon is the upcoming St Lucia jazz Festival….
Running from May 1st through to May 10th, the main event of the St Lucia Jazz Festival is hosted at Pigeon Island National Park, a 40-acre islet connected by a causeway to St. Lucia’s west coast. Apart from hosting the annual jazz festival, Pigeon Island is a beautiful nature park with a number of historical sites and two secluded beaches. Guest artistes headlining this year include Chaka Khan, Amy Winehouse, the Original Wailers, Chicago, Patti La belle and George Duke. However, it’s the free daytime entertainment that has grown in popularity and now rivals the main festival in size and diversity.
“Jazz on the Square” at The Derek Walcott Square is a series of lunch time concerts with a festive atmosphere of music, food and sheer fun. Located in the heart of Castries City in the picturesque square named for Derek Walcott, the island’s Nobel Laureate in Literature 1993, it’s a great place to make friends and simply groove.
“Jazz on the Pier” is held at Pointe Seraphine, St Lucia’s biggest duty free shopping complex, and was originally meant to be just background music to soothe the hustle and bustle of shopping. It’s grown to become a major music event in its own right. “Tea Time Jazz” at La Place Carenage is the ideal follow-up to Lunch Time Jazz on the Square. “Fond D’Or Jazz” at Fond D’Or Heritage Park offers a breathtaking view, the cool breeze of the Caribbean Sea and the soothing sounds of local jazz music. “Jazz in the South” at Rudy John Beach started out as a small community event that quickly became one of the main attractions in the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival.
Digicel “Jazz on the Beach” at Reduit Beach is the most recent event in the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. Taking place on the lovely yellow sand Reduit beach overlooking Rodney Bay within earshot of Pigeon Island, this event is quickly becoming a favourite of visitors and locals alike. Soufriere Jazz has been touted by many as a Saint Lucia Jazz “must see”. Soufriere hosts a variety of shows at various locations around the town including Sulphur Springs Jazz at the world’s only drive-in-Volcano!
