MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Producer of the annual Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, Walter Elmore, has given the event’s opening night a passing grade. 

According to him, everything came together.

“In terms of audience support, the line-up — really all the elements

came together really well and we had a great show,” Elmore told the

Jamaica Observer minutes after Third World brought the curtains down early Friday morning.

Elmore stressed that the all-Jamaican cast for the first night — which he introduced last year — seems to be a winner. It is a format he will seek to keep for the future.

Thursday night saw sterling performances from Eric Donaldson, Leroy Sibbles, Ken Boothe, Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington, Admiral Bailey, LUST, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Cocoa Tea and Third World.

Boothe and Third World were recognised by the organisers for their

contribution to the Jamaican music industry. This year, Boothe is celebrating 50 years in the industry while Third World marks 40 years.

The three-day festival continues this weekend with Dionne Warwick, John Legend, Mary J Blige, Michael Bolton and Monica expected to perform.

– Richard Johnson