THE temperature inside the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium is expected to rise a few degrees tonight as American soft rock band, Maroon 5, takes the stage at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival.

The popular band, headed by frontman Adam Levine, is expected to thrill patrons, particularly the young set, with hits such as This Love, Sunday Morning, Nothing Lasts Forever and Misery.

The festival which got off the ground last night, is expected to feature songstress Regina Belle, ’70s group Tavares, the trio SWV all capped with some local flavour in balladeer Richie Stephens on tonight’s line-up.

Belle, who is appearing on the festival for the second time, is amply equipped with an impressive catalogue which has made her a fan with local audiences for years. Tavares is expected to bring the style, movement and most importantly, the sound, that made this group popular back in the day. Hits like Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel, More Than a Woman and Don’t Take Away The Music, should be on their play list. SWV are reportedly all excited about performing in Jamaica for the first time, and their fans can expect to hear hits such as Weak and Rain.

This year’s festival culminates tomorrow with headliners, the perennial Jamaican favourites, Australian duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock — Air Supply. Making their second appearance at ‘Jazz’, local audiences can’t seem to get enough of these two and their string of hits.

A newcomer to the music scene, Laura Izibor makes her Jamaican debut, while established act Natalie Cole takes to the Jazz stage for the first time. Tomorrow night’s list of performers is completed by Committed and the energetic Silver Birds Steel Orchestra, which wowed audiences at the Babyface concert in kingston two months ago.

Th Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival kicked off off last night with performances from Ron Isley, Diana King, Brenda Russell and soca queen Alison Hinds.