In the heart of the world's jazz capital, it was a Jamaican production that took centrestage on Tuesday evening as the 10th Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, the Art of Music was launched in fine style at BB Kings' Blues Club and Grill in New York. The premier event on Jamaica's music calendar will take place on January 25-27, 2007 in Montego Bay, fast becoming known as the 'Vibes City'.

Executive Producer Walter Elmore of Turn Key Productions announced that this year's Festival would be the biggest and the best yet. He also announced that that Sandals Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart would receive The Founding Executive Producers Award from Turn Key Productions for the role he played in the creation and establishment of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.

Walter Elmore (left) in discussion with John Rollins III

The festival was originally conceived as an augmentary attraction in the traditional low tourist season and in its early years was held in October, or November, with the first being held on the grounds of Montego Bay's famed Rose Hall Great House. Michele Rollins of Rose Hall will also be a honouree for her role in hosting the event.

Greg Truman of G2 Marketing, head of marketing for the festival, gave a brief history of the highly successful event and attendees at the launch were treated to a video presentation of highlights of last year's showcase. David Shields, deputy director of tourism, spoke of the importance of the festival to Jamaica and pledged the full support of the Jamaica Tourist Board to the 2007 staging. George deMercado of title sponsors, Air Jamaica, expressed the company's delight at the continued growth and success of the festival.

Marcia McDonough of Touchstone Promotions, consultant to the festival, outlined the new 'Art of Reggae' component of the 2007 staging. She said that some of reggae's top names would share the stage performing their top hits for 90 minutes.

Walter Elmore took to the stage and gave a sneak preview of the line-up thus far. Kenny Rogers, who was a huge hit on his first-ever Jamaican performance in 2004, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Christopher Cross, jazz fusion legends Pieces of a Dream, Shaggy and Beres Hammond were mentioned. He also indicated that they were in negotiations with several top acts that would be announced later.

"In keeping with the trend that saw subsequent Grammy winners Alicia Keys, John Legend and Nora Jones performing on the show, we will this year bring a fresh new talent with Grammy prospects," Elmore said.

Over 40,000 persons attended the 2006 festival at the Cinnamon hill Golf Course at the Wyndham Rose Hall Resort & Country Club, which featured performances from Patti Labelle, James Ingram, Air Supply and Al Green.
The 2007 festival will be launched in other major US gateways throughout the rest of this year.

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