‘Jazz Fest was something special’

Minister for Tourism the Hon. Charles Clifford pictured
with local performers in the run up to Jazz Fest. 

Jazz legends Earl Klugh, George Duke and Al Jarreau
chat with the Minister after their amazing
performances on Friday night.

Friday,  December 9, 2005

Organisers of the just ended second annual Jazz Fest in the Cayman Islands have attached the title “smooth success”to the event at the Westin Casuarina Resort and the Tree House.

The Jazz Fest organisers, the Department of Tourism and the Black Entertainment Television (BET), expressed delight over the three-night show.

Director of Tourism Pilar Bush said hard work resulted in “something really special”.

 The Department of Tourism head is quite clear where her organisation wants to see the festival in the future.

“Obviously one of the aims of the event is to bring in visitors, but it’s also for the local community. We hope that in a few years’ time, the Cayman Jazz Fest will rival that of St Lucia and Jamaica,” she said.

The 1 to 3 December show featured international artists Najee, Earl Klugh, Al Jarreau, George Duke, Arturo Tappin, Ravi Coltrane and Yolanda Adams.

Local groups Intransit, Hi Tide, KayKay, Sea N’ B, Notch & Club Dred, Swanky and the Pandemonium Steel Band were also on the cards.

The Saturday line-up comprised Dance Unlimited which delivered a treat to the audience that also witnessed traditional arts and crafts by Cayman Traditional Arts.

The DOT rated the festival as a highly patronised one and it expressed its gratitude to the fans.  

The performances of the local groups also drew praise from the tourism official. 

“Visitors and residents alike turned out in droves to hear the sounds of local performers,”Ms Bush said.

Cayman Airways, American Express, Tropical Trader Restaurant Group, Tropicana Tours, Style FM, Westin Casuarina Resort and Spa, Courtyard Marriott, Delta, Cayman Distributors, Radio Cayman, CITN, BET Jazz and Jazziz Magazine sponsored the Cayman Jazz Fest.

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