Artists Announced for the 15th Anniversary of St. Lucia Jazz

February 20, 2006: The St. Lucia Tourist Board announces an exciting and diverse line-up in celebration of the 15th anniversary of St. Lucia Jazz, scheduled May 5-14, 2006. Considered one of the Caribbean's premier jazz festivals, St. Lucia Jazz attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year who enjoy over a dozen musical acts in a variety of unique locations and venues throughout St. Lucia, one of the Caribbean's most lush and unique destinations. This year's roster includes stand-out performers from international star Seal to the new dancehall queen Rhianna and R&B sensation Ciara, as well as legendary performers Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Al Green.

The ten-day celebration begins with the official opening of St. Lucia Jazz on May 5th followed by an array of performances happening each day throughout the island. The festival will be capped off with a powerhouse four-day line-up that will take place May 11 – May 14 on the main stage at the Pigeon Island National Landmark. The illustrious Nancy Wilson and Freddy Cole will open the main stage performances on May 11. Ciara and the local St. Lucian act Sisterhood will headline the May 12 performance. Grammy- award winning Babyface, Kenny Garrett, Rihanna are the scheduled performers on May 13. Seal and Al Green, who will be joined by percussionist Poncho Sanchez, are the final night's headliners who will close the festival on May 14.

Additional "fringe" musical acts, which are the complimentary daytime performances that take place throughout the 10-day festival, are expected to be announced in the weeks to come. St. Lucia Jazz's multiple daily shows will include acoustical, new age and straight-ahead jazz, soul, fusion and R&B. The "fringe" musical acts, which are unique to St. Lucia Jazz, will be held in a variety of locations and venues around the island. They provide an opportunity for travelers to experience the entire island and its culture while enjoying a diverse array of musical performances.

St. Lucia Jazz packages are available from Air Jamaica Vacations (www.airjamaica.com, 1-800-LOVEBIRD) and Alken Tours, (www.alkentours.com, 1-800-327-9974). Airlines that service St. Lucia include Air Jamaica, Delta, American Airlines, American Eagle, United, US Airways and BWIA.

For more information and tickets, visit the official St. Lucia Jazz Web site at www.stluciajazz.org, or contact the St. Lucia Tourist Board toll-free (888) 4-ST-LUCIA. Information on St. Lucia is also available online at www.stlucia.org, the official site of the St. Lucia Tourist Board.

SOURCE St. Lucia Jazz