Luther Francois makes the French Connection
SAINT LUCIA – More excitement is being generated as the clock ticks toward the start of the Caribbean’s premiere music and artistic showpiece – the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
The Saint Lucia Tourist Board, main organizer of the 13-day festival, which runs from April 30 to May 12, will feature awarding winning performances from across the length and breadth of the island, says jazz enthusiasts will be in for a treat when one of the region’s most widely acclaimed composer, arranger and music educator Luther Francois, takes to the stage.
Saint Lucian saxophonist Luther Francois’ Calypso Projections will join the main stage, Saturday, May 11th with a cast that already features names like Tito Puento Jr., Tony Allen, Robbie Greenidge and David Rudder.
Luther Francois. Photo courtesy www.stlucianewsonline.com
“We are delighted to have the addition of yet another distinguished son of the soil as part of the comprehensive line-up for 2013 festival,” say Deputy Director of Tourism Tracey Warner-Arnold.
According to Warner-Arnold, who also has general oversight of the Jazz & Arts Festival, “the addition of Luther Francois to the line-up will further solidify our push out and appeal to the French market i.e. patrons from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Marie Galante and indeed mainland France, where Luther Francois has an incredibly strong influence and following.”
Over his celebrated career, Luther Francois has gone on to work with some of the biggest and best musical minds the world over and is an accomplished musician and pioneer, who back in 1977, put on the first ever public jazz concert in Saint Lucia.
In addition to world class musical performances, the 2013 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will feature renditions, portrayals and theoretical displays from scores of local artisans, who for years have honed their skills.
The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival opens on April 30th at the Mindoo Phillip Park and will encompass a kaleidoscope of Caribbean music and artistry featuring performances from Jamaica’s Konshens, Haiti’s T- Vice, Trinidad and Tobago’s Kerwin Dubois & Benjai, and national acts Superman HD, Ricky T and Thygeson ‘Penn’ Joseph.
The festival’s main headliners include celebrated multiple Grammy-winner R Kelly, the O’jays, Brian Culbertson, The Jacksons, Akon, Tony Allen, Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, David Rudder, Tito Puente Jr., Ginuwine and ACE Loctar.
PRESENTING sponsor for the 2013 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. PLATINUM sponsor is Digicel. GOLD sponsors are Heineken, Tropical Shipping, HTS, LUCELEC, Karib Cable, and The Wave. BRONZE sponsors are Bank of Saint Lucia Ltd, First Citizens, Cotton Bay Village, RBC Royal Bank and RBTT Bank Ltd, Radio Caribbean International, and Delta Airlines Inc. COLLATERAL sponsors are Hot FM, Radio St. Lucia, Kotex, Avis Rent a Car, Guy’s Car Rental, Exel Sign, Guardsman and Chairman’s Reserve.
For more information on the full lineup for Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2013 along with show dates, venues and ticket sales, log onto www.stluciajazz.org.
For more information about the island of Saint Lucia call 1-800 456-3984, or 1-800 4STLUCIA or visit www.saintlucianow.com.
About Saint Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. The “Helen of the West Indies,” Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. Saint Lucia also is home to world class cruise and yachting facilities.
For more information, visit www.saintlucianow.com
Cover photo courtesy stluciaweddingguru.com
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