THERE is rapidly growing interest in the aspiring talent set to take the stage at this year’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, January 24-30, in Trelawny.

The event has become known not just for delivering spectacular performances from the main acts, but for showcasing the cream of Jamaica’s musical crop to the world, fast-tracking their careers through the Talent Stage. The value of an appearance before such a diverse audience usually translates into new fans and new opportunities.

Shining examples of those who have impressed, moving from the Talent Stage into the limelight, include Rootz Underground and Tessanne Chin.

This year’s offering looks just as promising, with the seams of the festival bulging with local talent waiting to “buss out”.

Some 15 bands are to make appearances this year and they are not just from local soil. The overseas bands hail from Italy, New York, Miami and Chicago. On the local scene, the Jamaican bands will be joined by some of the acts that impressed in the Digicel Rising Stars Competition.

“The Talent Stage is a culture for itself,” notes Ian Gibson, coordinator of the Talent Stage. “The minimum crowd we get watching the performances is 3000. There are people who come just to watch this part of the performance.”

With this level of focus, aspiring acts can tap into new markets, and with greater possibilities of being offered special deals based on the impressions they make.

Gibson also noted that they will benefit from additional exposure through organised media interaction. Following performances, Talent Stage acts will head to the press centre where they will be interviewed alongside the main acts.

In addition to the high visibility, there is guaranteed work for some of them in the future. “The top three performers from the group of acts will get the chance to perform on the main stage the following year,” explained Gibson, adding that everyone wins. The members of the audience get their fill of the greatest known acts, the best of the soon-to-be-known acts, and the aspiring acts get to launch their careers.

Talent Stage acts perform their set during the intermissions on the main stage, and after the main stage performances at the end of the night.

With production values comparable to the main stage, the Talent Stage is located near the Food Court.

The 2010 staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will be a seven-day-long celebration of The Art of Music. The signature performance nights will take place from January 28 – 30 at The Greenfield Stadium, Trelawny.