THE Saint Lucia Tourist Board has announced that world-renowned, Grammy-winning recording artistes Ne-Yo, Corinne Bailey Rae, Shaggy and Steel Pulse are set to perform at the destination’s premiere festival from May 1 – 9, 2010.

Also joining the impressive musical line-up for Saint Lucia Jazz is 22-year-old R&B singing sensation, Laura Izibor; the music of popular Cuban ensemble Buena Vista Social Club; the electrifying Haitian kompa band T-Vice; reggae veteran Maxi Priest, along with singing greats Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson, and Saint Lucia’s own Teddyson John and Ronald “Boo” Hinkson.

Saint Lucia Jazz, considered one of the leading music festivals in the Caribbean and the world, is marking its 19th anniversary this year.

“Saint Lucia Jazz is a spirit-filled experience and we are so happy to add this year’s stars to the long list of international artistes who have previously graced the stage here like John Legend, George Benson, Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker, and so many others,” said Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Allen Chastanet. “We are ready to host travellers from all corners of the globe who come to Saint Lucia to experience our legendary spot in paradise,” he added.

The rich, dusky tones of jazz, sensual soul, cool calypso, reggae, kompa music, and world rhythms gently fuse at Saint Lucia Jazz which features some of the greatest artistes in the music industry.

Saint Lucia Jazz schedule highlights include:

Wednesday, May 5: Fresh on the scene and described as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Artistes to Watch”, Irish singing sensation Laura Izibor raises the standard with her self-taught piano skills and sensual vocals. Izibor’s vocals have been compared to greats like Aretha Franklin and Alicia Keys and her writing to that of Carole King and Joan Armatrading. She will perform at Gaiety in Rodney Bay, the island’s epicenter of musical entertainment, featuring local clubs, lounges and restaurants. Laura Izibor will appear on the same stage as renowned guitarist Earl Klugh, who returns to Saint Lucia Jazz after five years; and the Saint Lucia School of Music Jazz Band (Black Ants), a group of young and extremely gifted music students whose repertoire consists of swing, funk, reggae, calypso, salsa, bossa-nova, and other genres.

Thursday, May 6: After a very successful US tour in November, Jean-Luc Ponty — a pioneer and undisputed master of violin in the arena of jazz and rock — is poised to light up the stage at Gaiety. Born in France into a family of classical musicians, Ponty — who has collaborated with the likes of Sir Elton John — has recorded numerous albums which have reached the Top 5 on the Billboard jazz charts and sold millions of copies. He is widely regarded as an innovator who has applied his unique visionary spin to expand the vocabulary of modern music.

Friday, May 7: Three-time R&B Grammy winner Ne-Yo, who has had several Top 10 songs and albums on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200 respectively, is preparing for a show-stopping performance, which will undoubtedly feature hits Because of You, Closer and Miss Independent.

Saturday, May 8: Having just released her new and popular album, The Sea, British-born singer Corinne Bailey Rae, who won an Album of the Year Grammy, is gearing up to entertain with new hits as well as chart-topping favourites like Put Your Records On and Like A Star.

Sunday, May 9: The eclectic sounds of crooners Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson, Phil Perry, and Howard Hewett will caress the souls of Pigeon Island patrons, before Jamaican and Caribbean music greats Maxi Priest and Shaggy bring Saint Lucia Jazz to an upbeat and memorable conclusion with their incredible repertoire of hits.

Saint Lucia Jazz 2010 will feature a dynamic line-up of other world-class musicians, including the young and gifted bassist and vocalist, Esperanza Spalding, and talented African musician Dobet Gnahoré from Côte d’Ivoire.