The 2024 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival concluded Sunday with a spectacular musical journey (rendition) at the iconic Pigeon Point National Park. Patrons were treated to nostalgic soulful hits, world beats, and vivacious Caribbean rhythms.
On Sunday, the legendary Air Supply delivered a memorable performance, celebrating their 49th anniversary year. Fans reveled in the array of hit songs, reminiscing about yesteryear’s tunes.
Afro-American crooner Babyface also graced the stage, delivering a Motown Medley that showcased his own hits and cover songs from artists he has written and produced for.
Additionally, Dominican singer Michele Henderson impressed with her vocal skills and the Bajan crew Jamal Slocombe and 1816 Rebel performed a medley of tunes.
While the Ultimate Celebration featured ‘a fantastic line-up of world-class performers, the local artistes performed with aplomb and were even times on par with their contemporaries.
The Sunday afternoon session highlighted the ingenuity of Augustin “Jab” Duplessis and his crew, which included Allison Marquis ‘the steelpan maestro’. Jab’s presentation included a ‘Tribute to Luther Francois’, and his tunes were interspersed with some lively local Creole rhythms and accompanying folk dancers as he serenaded the ladies on Mothers’ Day.
As Jab entertained the fans with an ‘all instrumental’ ensemble spruced up with spicy jazz beats, he brought on his protégé to perform. During his short stint on stage, twelve-year -old Herbie Altenor on saxophone not only delighted the crowd with his performance for which he was given a stupendous applause.
Carl Gustave, known for stylish guitar playing skills also delivered some ‘sweet Saint Lucian rhythms’ to kick off the show.
Commenting on the impact and merit for hosting the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire declared: “You start off with a very clear understanding of the value of the festival for the promotion and marketing of Saint Lucia and the reach and extent that Saint Lucia is being promoted by those (foreign) artistes is phenomenal.”
He said, at least 50 countries participated in the online ticket sales “and it’s a significant benefit in that regard (and) surely it brings tremendous economic benefit directly from persons coming into the country.”
Added Hilaire: “The economic impact filters throughout the economy and within various sectors…and the benefits filter down to the communities, as well, hosting the community jazz fringe events.”