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Contact:
Chris Satney
Thursday, January 27, 2005 - With the announcement of the line-up for St.
Lucia Jazz 2005, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLBT) has said that major
changes will be made in order to ensure the survival of the event. The
announcement came Wednesday evening at a media launch at the Rex St. Lucian
Hotel.
This year’s line-up includes Pharoah Saunders, Kevin Mahogany, Chante Moore and
husband Kenny Lattimore, along with Gonzalo Rubalcaba, New Edition and the Isley
Brothers, featuring Ron Isley. The line-up also includes St. Lucian Rob ‘Zye’
Taylor and internationally renowned reggae band UB40, who will be the head liner
for the final day of Jazz at Pigeon Island.
While more acts remain to be announced, the St. Lucia Tourist Board is promising
the biggest St. Lucia Jazz ever. Director of Tourism Hilary Modeste said the
Board has had to keep redefining its strategy in order to keep the product, St.
Lucia Jazz on the cutting edge.
“Those changes had to be made because the event has grown to such an extent,
that in order for us to continue to provide that level of satisfaction, that
level of enjoyment which we must provide to our patrons, it is necessary to make
some changes,” Mr. Modeste said.
The changes are said to be dramatic. The main stage will be relocated to a wider
area, stretching as far away as Fort Rodney in order to accommodate a larger
audience. The St. Lucia National Trust has supported the changes, which include
the pruning of trees to allow the stage to have an Atlantic Sea background, a
trademark of St. Lucia Jazz.
Marketing Manager of the Tourist Board Ian Herman, said the new stage location
was tested when a Kenny Rogers show was held last year at Pigeon Island,
answering to issues of emergency: “Emergency exits are very vital when you have
these major events. This new position allows us to have a minimum of 5 exits so
that, if something happens, people can leave that area easily and quickly.”
The rains last year brought with it some lessons, and this year, the stage will
be bigger to accommodate more movement of artistes, their musicians and dancers.
The stage covering will also change to allow mechanical control.
The 2005 Saint Lucia Jazz will run from April 29th to May 5th.
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