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ST. LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008 WEEKEND COVERAGE
The festival was advertised as running from May 2nd to 11th, but Team TJJ decided to touch down on the island on Friday May 9th. That's the last weekend in which all the BIG headline acts such as Wyclef Jean, Anita Baker, Angie Stone, Dionne Warwick and Air Supply to mention a few, would be performing. Although we heard that the various events that took place prior were all great on different levels. So for 2009, we'll definitely consider going earlier. Yes, we love to lime!
It wasn't a matter of time, before ah heard meh Lucian partner, Justin aka "The Big Show", hailing me from across the road, while stuffing his mouth with a 'Dhal Pie' (a fried potato pie with a stuffing of ground yellow split peas - like we need to start a TJJ Trini Dictionary, yes!). I had a 'Dhal Pie' for the 1st time in meh life in St. Lucia ... and ah mus say, it's bess! Try one someday.
Over the weekend, we did a couple of After Jazz parties, bar hopped in the Rodney Bay area, sailed over to the town of Soufriere (location of the majestic Pitons) on a private catamaran on the Monday after Jazz, and even took in a Soca fete which featured KMC, Iwer, Ricky T and other local acts at Red International's 2008 Band Launch "Red Ignite" for upcoming St. Lucia Carnival. But wait, are we here for Jazz? Okay, back to Jazz...
Air Supply raised pores from the Friday night, Anita Baker was simply soulful on Saturday and Wyclef Jean 'mash up and buy back' Pigeon Island to close things out on the Sunday. And to see the legendary Dionne Warwick sitting on a blanket in the first few rows, enjoying the shows like the rest of us ... priceless. I'll let Wados aka The Appraiser and Dr. Ram Dass give all the juicy details in their reviews. By the way, please ignore any mention of the "Friendship Inn" in the same sentence with my name. I plead the 5th! Hehe.
Just when we thought Tobago's Plymouth Jazz Festival was sweet, we tasted sweeter!! Plymouth Jazz Fest should definitely take notes from St. Lucia's Jazz Fest ... after all it's only 17 years strong they are doing it now! Tuesday 13th May - 6:20PM ... "Paging all final passengers for Liat Flight #309 non-stop from SLU to POS" - That's me folks ... AH GONE AGAIN!
Signing
out from Simply Beautiful St. Lucia, ps. We're seriously contemplating returning to St. Lucia for their Carnival in July! |
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Gentle
Peoples, it's donkey years now we're been hearing talk about how St. Lucia has
the biggest and best Jazz Festival in the Caribbean. And so we decided to celebrate
the festival's 17th Anniversary with our beloved Caribbean people (of course,
we've also got mad love for all tourists - and there sure was a lot of them -
that made it down as well 
).
Liat
Flight #308 non-stop from POS to SLU touched down on time, just around 7:40AM.
Now peoples, I must admit ... it's been a while since I've traveled to a small
isle, that has a small airport. Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs were all
in the very same room!! No joke! Ah love it ... this is life in the 'Caribe' (short
for Caribbean for you slow folks) as we know it!
Speaking
of good food.... the local food in St. Lucia was the bomb. Stew, curry, fried,
whatever .... it's all great! We eat at a lil' spot called "Hardest Hard"
and wowie, kudos to the cook. And didn't even mention their local fruit juices
as yet. Be sure to order a fresh "Cherry Juice" ... doh stick. And don't
worry, you will have lots of room for those Piton beers!! 
On
Friday evening, we scooped up the rest of the TJJ crew, who weren't fortunate
to flight into Vigie Airport, after they finally made their way from the other
side of the island where Hewanorra Airport is located. From that point on it was
non-stop liming, drinking, small talking and oh yeah, we did manage to work somewhere
in between it all! 
The
3 Jazz nights I experienced for my very 1st St. Lucia Jazz Festival were all incredible.
First and foremost, the venue was a natural amphitheater. Second, each night was
filled with beautiful, fun people. And third, besides the fact that all headliners
were impressive, there was indeed 'real' Jazz at the concerts. The Eric Ildefonse
Quintet, Juillard Quintet and Jazz Package feat. Najee, Alex Bugnon, Nick Colionne
& Ledisi were all great!
A
big THANK YOU to the St. Lucia Tourist Board for the warm hospitality. And we
cannot forget about "The Big Show" for all da hook ups! Large up!! We
had a time and a half and will definitely be back for Jazz'09 ... of course, that's
after we return for Food & Rum Festival 2008 