By Reginald Andrew
Local talent took centre stage at this year’s Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival (SLJAF) as the event unfolded impressively at the iconic Pigeon Point last weekend.
This year’s SLJAF extravaganza saw bigger crowds, increased participation, and a pronounced presence of local artists, signaling a major leap forward as the festival spotlighted its main stage acts.
Notable local artistes, including Barbara Cadet, Ronald “Boo” Hinkson & Friends, Semi Francis, Ricky T, and Sly & Friends, captivated audiences. The festival also showcased local talent at community jazz fringe events, further connecting artistes with their fans.
The visiting artistes delivered standout performances that included John Legend, Earth, Wind & Fire, the Haitian band Tambou Combo, and dancehall star Beenie Man, along with soca artists Patrice Roberts, Yung Bredda, and more.
The backstage stories added depth to the event—from the inspiring perseverance of Tabou Combo’s lead singer at 76 years old, to Yung Bredda’s commitment to uplifting underprivileged youth in his community.
On Friday, Ricky T energized the massive crowd at Pigeon Point, delivering a dynamic performance that set a high bar for the acts that followed. Patrice Roberts quickly got the audience moving, effortlessly transitioning from mellow numbers to high-energy hits in her signature street jump-up style.
Beenie Man brought his distinctive flair to the stage, delivering an impressive performance despite recovering from a serious leg injury.
However, Bounty Killa’s performance fell short of expectations. While he connected with his loyal fans, many in the crowd were less than impressed, interpreting his harsher style of dancehall music as lacking.
On Saturday, local acts like Sly and Friends, Semi Francis, and Barbara Cadet effortlessly infused the crowd with their energetic rhythms.
Tabou Combo, celebrated as “A Masterclass of Caribbean Greatness”, engaged fans with their storied history, recalling their inaugural performance at the jazz festival in 1991 and presenting a rich tapestry of Kompa music.
The popular Haitian band showcased a variety of music, emphasizing Kompa and some of its most beloved and memorable songs. The audience erupted in thunderous applause as Tabou increased the tempo with resonating beats, just after an intermittent burst of rain in the early evening.
This event was labelled a celebration of ‘Culture and Kompa Power’, reflecting over five decades of musical excellence.
Ruger brought high energy to the stage, rallying the crowd to sing along, while Summer Walker closed the show with a sophisticated production complete with backup dancers, appealing to her young audience.
The afternoon session kicked off with Alexander on steel pan, accompanied by backup dancers in a heartfelt tribute to mothers.
The Lao Tizer Band increased the tempo and elevated the mood, showcasing a mix of artists performing jazzy selections that featured a saxophonist.
Boo Hinkson & Friends followed with a classy mix of jazz tunes, honouring steel pan pioneer Scrub Wellington through a moving tribute featuring female pannist Crystal Nestor. Their performance resonated with a fresh, high-energy delivery, enhanced by local artistes Ace Loctar and Christa Bailey.
Richard Payne, a top-ranked pianist, and his accompanying band members delivered a stunning instrumental jazz performance. Payne provided an insightful exploration of Lucian culture as he reimagined a beloved folk song in a heartfelt tribute to his daughter.
His rendition of the popular Creole tune ‘Non Mwen Se Estephane’ transformed it into a captivating ‘jazzy folksy’ experience that truly resonated with the audience.
Earth, Wind & Fire brought the night to life with a medley of their iconic Motown hits, taking fans on a nostalgic journey.
Lastly, John Legend mesmerized the crowd during his third SLJAF appearance. Following a string of hit songs and a captivating performance on the keyboards, Legend left the audience fully engaged and appreciative.
In light of these outstanding performances, Minister for Tourism and Creative Industries Dr. Ernest Hilaire spoke candidly to THE VOICE, declaring this year’s SLJAF the “most successful” event organized to date, highlighting the overwhelming public participation and high-quality production that defined the festival.
“The community jazz events were a huge success, showcasing strong public participation and high-quality production. We introduced new communities, such as Micoud and Choiseul,” declared Dr. Hilaire.
“We expanded the arts component, featured a tribute to the icon Theresa Hall, and highlighted the Spoken Word art component at Derek Walcott Square,” he said.
Speaking about the main stage events, the tourism minister stated, “The attendance at the Kingdom Night show was amazing. Friday was massive, and even tonight (Sunday), the crowd participation is evident. The numbers were tremendous which strongly indicates the success of the festival and its community aspect.”
Dr. Hilaire commented on the festival’s longevity: “We are evolving and growing, and we need to build on that. We ensured that our local creatives had an opportunity to perform on the main stage. This year, we featured artists such as Payne, Ricky T, Semi, and our regulars Barbara Cadet and Boo. We also saw new artists like Sly performing well on the main stage.”
He added, “For us, that’s important. We also want to see local talent emerging at the community level and giving them a chance to showcase their skills.”
