St. Lucia moves to the beat of jazz

St. Lucia will be moving to the beat of jazz when music fills the air this May.  Tourists and locals alike will listen to a mix of jazz, R&B, funk, blues and soul, day and night under the Caribbean sun and stars.  This year’s line-up includes five Grammy winners; Natalie Cole, John Legend, Isaac Hayes and George Benson as well as Brazilian jazz fusion singer Tania Maria. 

From 4th to 13th May a variety of local and international stars will be playing at various locations around the island.  The main stage is located on the beautiful and historical Pigeon Island, connected to the mainland by a causeway, with both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.  St. Lucia Jazz includes free events with concerts extending to the south of the island with shows being held in the village of Laborie and the towns of Vieux Fort and Soufriere.

The amazing eight times Grammy winner, Natalie Cole, daughter of Nat King Cole, who is considered one of the core artists of smooth jazz will be headlining the event on Sunday 13th May.  Nominated for an astounding eight Grammy Awards and claiming a total of five, R&B singer and pianist, John Legend will be providing the soul with hits such as ‘Ordinary People’ and ‘Used To Love U’ performing on the main stage.  Known for his collaborations with rapper and producer Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Mary J Blige as well as Snoop Dogg, Legend will be performing songs from his second Album ‘Once Again’ released last October.     Isaac Hayes soul singer and the voice of the singing Chef from South Park will delight his audience with his talent of playing piano, keyboards, saxophone and vocals, covering R&B, funk, soul and disco.  Hayes won three Grammy awards as well as an Oscar for Best Original Song for the film, Shaft.

Other big names include the five times Grammy award winning jazz performer Al Jarreau, who is collaborating on the main stage with George Benson, known as one of the greatest guitarists in jazz history. Benson is now most famous for singing pop and R&B hits such as ‘Turn Your Love Around’ and ‘Give Me The Night’.  St. Lucia’s very own Boo Hinkson will be sharing his unique style of fused jazz with Caribbean rhythms, making sweet music in his homeland. 

St. Lucia is a first-class holiday destination, offering a variety of accommodation to suit every visitor’s needs, from five star luxury to intimate inns, cottages on former plantations or beachfront apartments. Its unique landscape and geography means that visitors can do just about anything their heart desires. From climbing the majestic twin mountains, the Pitons in the south, to jungle biking through the lush, tropical rainforests and lounging on the island’s beautiful sandy beaches, there is truly something to inspire everyone.

With St. Lucia Jazz as an extra incentive to awaken your soul and soothe your senses, this is an unparalleled holiday experience you cannot afford to miss. For full line-up details go to http://www.stluciajazz.org/

Seven nights inStLuciawith Virgin Holidays, staying at the3*CocoKreole,starts from £679. Prices include Virgin Atlantic flights from London Gatwick orManchestertoSt.Lucia, transfers and accommodation on a roomonly basis. Prices are per adult, based on two adults traveling and sharing aroom, for departures between 28 April and 18 May 2007.

Child prices for under 12s startfrom as little as £199.

Prices may be subject to a fuelsurcharge and an increase in Air Passenger Duty.

To book call VirginHolidays on 0871 222 0304 or visit the website at www.virgin.com/holidays

Report by Chitra Mogul