Kingston, JAMAICA:-A host of media and travel professionals came out to welcome the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival on its very first launch in Toronto, Canada. The Festival was launched at a luncheon held at one of Toronto’s largest hotels, the Delta Chelsea, on October 15. Walter Elmore in his address to the group stated that having now come to Canada, there was no turning back. “Canada provides the fastest growing segment in the tourist arrivals for Jamaica,” Elmore remarked, “And so we believe that it is a prime market to which we should extend our marketing and promotions for the festival.”
While not revealing the entire line up for the event, Elmore did mention some names that were already confirmed. “We are happy to have just signed Jennifer Hudson for the 2010 Festival,” He boasted. “Jennifer has a magic that surrounds her and the Jamaican audience loves her. We feel she is an excellent addition to the lineup”.
Also on the bill will be Hall and Oats, Jon Secada, Monty Alexander, Roy Ayers, Third World, Billy Ocean, Joe Roy Jackson, Kelly Price, Tamia, Deborah Cox, Marion Hall, and the Max Klezmer Band, a polish Jazz band which the Government of Poland has kindly arranged for the event. Several Headliners are still to be confirmed.
In his address, Walter Elmore announced the introduction of the first Usain Bolt 9.58 SuperParty which is planned for December 4-5 at Richmond Estate in St Ann. The party is expected to be one of the most exciting new events on the Jamaican calendar and he expects it to also be a big draw for visitors to the island. Elmore stressed the importance of the role that events such as the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival and the Usain Bolt 9.58 SuperParty play in enhancing the tourism product of Jamaica.
Speaking on behalf of Air Jamaica, Platinum Sponsor for the 2010 Festival, Norma Sale, Area Sales Manager for the airline in Canada, expressed her pleasure at having the TurnKey Team in Toronto. She also reinforced Air Jamaica’s commitment to the Festival.
Sandra Scott, Regional Director for the JTB in Canada, also expressed her pleasure at hosting the team. “We will work closely with TurnKey Productions to help to spread the word about the festival in Canada,” she said. “We have been extremely pleased with the growing interest that the Canadian market is now showing in Jamaica, and the Festival will provide an excellent additional attraction for Canadians who are constantly seeking ways to get away from the cold, in January. Try and stay warm until you get to the Festival in January, where you will be embraced by the warmth of the people and island of Jamaica”, she said in to the group.
Walter Elmore stated that, “TurnKey Productions presents events that can attract international participation during the times when there are gaps in Jamaica’s visitor arrivals. This was the original objective of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival when it was started nearly 15 years ago, and it still remains the prime focus of the event. When we started the Festival, the end of January was a very slow period for the tourist industry, and having the Festival staged at that time created a demand for hotel rooms. Eventually the three days of the Festival became one of the busiest times for the hotels all along the North Coast. Now with the addition of nearly 4,000 new rooms, we now have to start afresh and work to attract more persons to the island. This is one of the main reasons for our new Canadian thrust in marketing the festival”.
Present at the launch was Nigel Smith, acting Consul General for Jamaica in Canada, as well as Annmarie Bonner, the former Consul General. Mr. Smith expressed his pleasure in receiving the team and the welcomed the promotion of the event in Canada.
Canadian born Robin Banks, who will be performing at the Festival in January was also in attendance and expressed her excitement at being able to once again be a part of the JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival experience. Ms. Banks performed at the Festival in 2007 during a three year period in which she made Jamaica her home. She highlighted the professionalism of TurnKey Productions, and how very impressed she was at the production standards that are always a hallmark of the production company.
The JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival will have its 14th staging in 2010. Starting on January 24 through to January 27 the Festival will feature a range of performances in major hotels in Montego Bay as well as Cornwall Beach and Blue Beat. It will also host a performance at Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios. The week of activities will culminate in three nights of spectacular performances (Jan 28-30) at the Aqueduct on Rose Hall. With the extension of the festival to one full week, JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival 2010 is expected to be the largest and best ever and is definitely not to be missed. For more information persons may visit the official website at www.jamaicajazzandblues.com.
The JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival 2010 take place at the Aqueduct at Rosehall, Montego Bay on January 24-30, and ticket outlets and prices will be announced in the coming weeks.
Jamaica News