St. Lucia Jazz Festival

The Caribbean region hosts several annual jazz festivals, but the 18-year-old St. Lucia fest tops the list as the most popular and internationally acclaimed event. St. Lucia Jazz, scheduled from May 2 to 10 this year, attracts thousands of visitors each night with a range of jazz, R&B, world and pop concerts across the tiny island. This year’s headliners include Amy Winehouse, Shaggy, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Michael MacDonald, Angelique Kidjo, The Wailers and George Duke. Enticed by St. Lucia’s lush landscape and the serene beauty of the main venue on Pigeon Island, music fans flock to the fest for a one-of-a-kind experience.

I’m heading to the festival this year, and will add my tips and insights after the event. In the meantime, for those able to plan a last-minute trip, here are the details for this year’s fest.

Main stage shows are featured from Tuesday, May 5 to Sunday, May 10 in the northern part of St. Lucia. The main venue, Pigeon Island National Landmark, boasts 44 acres of tropical forests and sloping grasslands surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Smaller performances such as afternoon Tea Time Jazz, Jazz on the Waterfront at the Soufriere Waterfront and Jazz on the Pier round out the week on the rest of the island. Craft displays, late night “jump-ups” (street parties), and St. Lucian culinary specialties such as salt fish and green fig or zesty pepperpot soup add even more fun to the festivities.

 

• Branford Marsalis, son of jazz legend Ellis Marsalis, Jr., performing at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival.

Courtesy of the St. Lucia Travel Board

Tickets are sold online through stluciajazz.org and can be purchased up until the week of the event, on the island from the Jazz Shop and at the venues. You can buy tickets for individual shows, which range from $36 to $63, a season pass for all six shows for $260 or a Pigeon Island pass for four shows at $195. Early bird discounts of 10 percent are available through April 17 for individual tickets and 10 percent discounts for season and Pigeon Island passes are available through May 10. Children under 5 years old are free; tickets are $20 for kids 12 and under (children’s tickets available only at venues). Seating is first-come first-served and limited. However, the most popular seats always seem to be blankets and lawn chairs.  

Hotel room prices typically go up 10 to 15 percent during St. Lucia Jazz, and accommodations across the island are usually filled, but fest fans can still snag a few bargains. Village Inn and Spa offers rates that begin at $120 for a standard room and Castles in Paradise Resort supplies a special festival rate for a two-bedroom villa with maid service for $150 a night. Other hotel promotions are listed at www.stluciajazz.org.

Next: Review of 2009 St. Lucia Jazz Fest