Turn Key Productions, officials of the annual festival, this week announced that US fans can book all inclusive packages with their local travel agents that will give them access to the entire festival - January 24-26, 2008.
A 3-day pass to see eight-time Grammy Award winner, Anita Baker; two-time Grammy winner Jill Scott; legendary singer, Diana Ross; revered 'Caribbean Queen' singer, Billy Ocean and South African trumpeter and flugelhornist Hugh Masekela among others is US$250.
Individual tickets will not be sold in the US, officials said. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold for the venue at the Aqueduct in Montego Bay this year since Executive Producer, Walter Elmore, insists he is more concerned about the comfort level of jazz fest patrons than simply selling tickets.
Ross is a global entertainment icon and a legendary musical treasure whose music has, for decades, inspired romance, happiness and joy. She kicked off her “I Love You" tour earlier this year in the US, featuring songs from her new Manhattan/EMI Music Marketing studio album, 'I Love You,' as well as other solo hits and Supremes classics, including 'Some Day We'll Be Together,' and 'I'm Coming Out.' She's slated to bring the curtains down on the festival on Saturday, January 26, 2008.
Baker, born in Toledo, Ohio, was one of the definitive quiet storm singers of the '80s with her debut album, 'Rapture,' in 1986 which went on to become a platinum, Grammy winning smash that produced two all-time quiet storm classics in “Caught Up in the Rapture" and “Sweet Love." Baker is slated to perform at the Thursday, January 24th, 2008.
Scott is an R&B singer known for hits like “Gettin' In the Way," the Grammy winner “Cross My Mind," “Whatever" and the new 2007 song, “Hate on Me" from the album, 'The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3.' And she's currently starring in the Tyler Perry movie, 'Why Did I Get Married.' Scott is set to open the Jazz Festival on Friday, January 25th.
Other artists slated to perform are Ryan Shaw, an exciting new artiste whose music is described as “new school meets old school," Jessica Yap; Yerba Buena, Taj Mahall, pianist Marjorie Whylie and 13-year-old songstress Nikki.
The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, since its introduction in 1996, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica. International artistes that have performed at the festival include Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Kenny G., Michael McDonald, Gladys Knight, Kool & the Gang, Al Jarreau,Branford Marsalis, Brian McKnight Harry Belafonte, Babyface, Stephanie Mills, George Benson, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, and many more. And to bring the Jamaican flavor well known names such as Ziggy Marley, Morgan Heritage, Third World, Toots Hibbert, Shaggy, Sean Paul Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Monty Alexander, Ritchie Stephens and many other Jamaican talents have made their mark on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues stage.
In addition to its main objective of world-class musical entertainment, the festival prides itself on introducing many local and foreign talents to the world through its “Art of Music" initiative, which seeks out and showcases new talent to an audience to which they would not otherwise have been able to reach.
Over the years the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival has sought to creatively partner with companies that wish to associate themselves with a high quality event and it has been fortunate to have garnered strong support from various corporate and government agencies.
This year the festival is being presented by key title sponsor, Olint along with support from Air Jamaica, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Scotiabank, Oasis Bottled Water, Viva Sparkling Water, Audi, Vitamalt, Power and Charmin.
For more information contact CaribPR.com.
