Black Entertainment Television, one of the top cable television entertainment networks, has joined forces with the Jamaica Tourist Board to promote the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival to be held in Montego Bay, January 26-28, 2006.

Announcing the partnership, Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with BET Digital Networks, said it is really no surprise that her network is involved in this year's festival, having produced the event for Air Jamaica for several years.

Brown announced that BET will produce a half-hour preview show - to premier on BET and its sister channel, BET Jazz in December - promoting the destination, the festival and the festival location. In addition, a festival commercial will air repeatedly on BET Jazz and VH1 Soul. BET also will promote the festival on radio in Atlanta on KISS 104.1 FM.

This year's event has attracted the likes of soul legend Al Green, blues giant Bo Diddley, R&B hitmaker John Legend, Shaggy, flautist Nestor Torres, Lyfe Jennings, Morgan Heritage; power balladeers Air Supply, Nicole Henry, Richie Stephens, James Ingram, Patti Labelle, Maxi Priest, Kem and the Reunion Jazz Quartet On Saturday, the closing night, festival promoters will recognise the work of Byron Lee of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, who marks his golden anniversary(50 years) in the music industry. Joining him for the tribute will be The Mighty Sparrow, David Rudder, Arrow, Ernie Smith, Ken Lazarus, Keith Lyn, Pluto, the Merry Men, and portrait artist Jean Francois.

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