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| Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival 2008 Legendary singer, Diana Ross, dubbed the 'Most Successful Female Music Artist Of The 20th Century;' eight-time Grammy Award winner, Anita Baker and two-time Grammy winner Jill Scott are set to thrill fans at the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Organizers of the annual Festival made the announcement on November 1 during their New York kick-off at the Providence Restaurant in Manhattan. Ross and Baker and slated for the January 24-26 event, billed as 'The Caribbean's Biggest Party.' 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, August 26th. 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 Friday, November 25th. 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 Thursday, January 24th. Additionally, Trinidad-born, UK-raised singer, Billy Ocean, revered in the mid-70's to 80's for hits like 'Caribbean Queen' and 'Suddenly,' is set to grace the festival. Ocean recently returned to the touring circuit after an almost 15-year hiatus. Other artists slated to perform at the festival to date include reggae crooner; South African trumpeter and flugelhornist Hugh Masekela; Ryan Shaw, an exciting new artiste whose music is described as “new school meets old school,” Jessica Yap; Yerba Buena and pianist Marjorie Whylie. ”Air Jamaica Jazz is now one of the most highly anticipated events on the annual entertainment calendar,” said Executive Producer and Head of Turn Key Productions, Walter Elmore. “We have great plans for this show and expect it to be one of the best yet. We have grown from strength to strength, moving from 1,500 guests in 1997 to 40,000 earlier this year.” Meanwhile, fans are being urged to grab tickets early as organizers will be printing a limited number to ensure the comfort level of fans is not compromised at the venue, the Aqueduct at Rose Hall, Jamaica. Dubbed the 'Art Of Music,' the festival is a three-day musical event that welcomes 40,000 patrons each year. It has become the showcase for unforgettable music on two stages, delicious Jamaican and international cuisine and an overall great time. The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, since its introduction in 1986, 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. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |