We manage to catch a couple hours shut eye after The Happy Cock, batteries recharge and we gone again. Today Pigeon Island is jam packed with big guns in the business. Michael McDonald, 'Boo' Hinkson & Friends, Estelle, Michel Aubertin, George Duke featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Bebe Winans, James Ingram and St. Lucia's very own Teddyson John. Weather is holding up quite nicely today so let's head on in and check the vibes.

As was the case last year on Jazz Saturday (see coverage), they roped off the grounds and divided it into 4 main sections up front. Traditionally, this is the day folks bring out their beach blankets, deck chairs and coolers. A limer's dream scene. Today the crowd extends all the way up the hill, as well as, into quite a sizable area, stage left, where a Jumbo Tron is set up.

Things got off to an excellent start under rare blue skies, complimented by a cool Caribbean breeze, the jazz vibes were on and poppin' from early o'clock. Micheal Aubertin, followed by 'Boo' Hinkson & Friends set the pace marvelously. British R&B singer Estelle had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hands. She came off not just as an excellent entertainer, but also as a genuine, and very likable person. Dance buss, when she did a jazzy version of her party favorite "Come Over" and wrapped up her set with her chart topping smash hit "American Boy" which she wrote for the Appraiser, not realizing ah was really a Trini at heart! One question doh, what the blinkin' stinkin' was up with those two dudes who went up on stage to dance with Estelle? On behalf of all men in the world (and on Mars), let me express my utter disgust for such a shameful display of utter butter ranks. Ah almost drop d TJJ TV video camera and went up there myself yes. Thank goodness for dude number three who went up there and salvaged some pride for us.

Photos by Andre C.Y. Choo Quan
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The vibes remained at a very high level as Michael McDonald took the stage. There's nothing like a Jazz fest to really bring out the best of the best of the worlds musicians. I could listen to this band any day anytime. And then came the main course: George Duke featuring Jeffrey Osborne, Bebe Winans, James Ingram and Teddyson John. TJ opened this set and as a Caribbean man, I was proud. He was right up there with the best of the male vocalists that were about to follow. By the time Jeffrey, Bebe and James came out, you almost didn't want the nigh to end. This was the same feeling I remember having during Anita's performance last year. I'll be watching this one over and over on TJJ TV, classics cyah done.

Jazz may be over tonight, but the lime now start for TJJ. We off to see what Red Unlimited has to offer for 2k9 Lucian Carnival, and who knows where we'll end up after that.

Wados the Appraiser aka Sigma Juice for the TJJ fam.

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St. Lucia Jazz Festival 2009