From Caribbean360

The 12-day event brings together local, regional and international musicians performing straight-up jazz, R&B, reggae and other Caribbean music, as well as French and Latin rhythms.

CASTRIES, St Lucia, Jamaican reggae fusion artiste Tessanne Chin, who outclassed the competition to win season five of NBC’s talent show The Voice, will headline the 2014 St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival.

One of the biggest attractions on the island’s calendar of events, St Lucia Jazz has evolved into an internationally recognised festival featuring the best in straight-up jazz, R&B, reggae and other Caribbean music, as well as French and Latin rhythms.

The festival brings together local, regional and international musicians, with this year’s star-studded line-up including Chin’s fellow Jamaican reggae star Barrington Levy, as well as Grammy and Tony Award-winning Dee Dee Bridgewater and T-Square.

Featured Caribbean entertainers include Barbados’ soca queen Alison Hinds, Puerto Rican singer Elvis Crespo, and Cuban composer Omar Sosa.

The St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival was officially launched with a ceremony at the Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort and will run from April 30 to May 11.

According to St Lucia Tourism Minister Lorne Theophilus: “This year’s event is building on a resurgence of fresh artistic direction infused into the festival in 2013, thus providing the perfect opportunity for scores of local artisans, entertainers and cultural enthusiasts to command world attention at scenic vistas across the island.”

Past performers at the A-list event have included such luminaries as Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Luther Vandross, Trey Songz, Rihanna, Elton John, John Legend, Mario, Ne-Yo, Zionomi, Amy Winehouse, Angie Stone, Ciara, India Arie, Smokey Robinson, American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, Pattie LaBelle, Chaka Khan and many more.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/entertainment/1106683.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=1a3f7d2b76-Vol_9_Issue_032_News2_14_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-1a3f7d2b76-39393477#ixzz2tL8thxZd