Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2015

By Steve James on Friday, February 13, 2015 - Photos by Steve James - Comment

Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival with Errol Dunkley, Soja, Brian Holt, Johnny Clarke, Mariah Carey and more

Johnny Clarke The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival was held over the period January 29^th – 31^st at the Greenfield Stadium, Trelawny. The festival maintained its reputation of having a great combination of top foreign and local acts. The highlight of Thursday night was a tribute to the late John Holt who passed away late last year. Backed by Lloyd Parks and We the People Band, patrons enjoyed performances by Errol Dunkley, Johnny Clarke, Judy Mowatt, George Nooks and Josey Wales. The tribute set was brought to a close by Brian Holt, one of John’s sons who did a few covers of his late father. Though a great performance was turned in by all, it was the performance of George Nooks and Josey Wales who brought the scant crowd to their feet.

Expectations were high for Friday night as it featured the likes of Bajan saxophonist Arturo Tappin, international superstar Mariah Carey and reggae group Morgan’s Heritage. Patrons were treated to an awesome performance by Arturo Tappin but were left hanging dry by a subpar performance by Mariah Carey. The international entertainment media weighed in on her lackluster performance in Jamaica. The night was closed by Morgan Heritage who delivered a superb performance that was cut short during the peak of the performance by the heavy down pour of rain causing the organizers to end the show due to safety precautions.

The final night of the Festival saw performances by billboard hit makers Magic, UK based reggae band Soja, Peter Cetera and The Pointer Sisters. However, it was singing sensation Charlie Wilson who stole the show and in several persons estimation the entire festival. He dazzled the crowd with his music, interaction with the crowd, his dancers and his overall choreography.

The Pointer Sisters were represented by one of the original Sisters, her daughter and granddaughter. They brought Jamaica Jazz Festival 2015 to a close with an energetic and professional set. The patrons were familiar with their music and would not let them go without a request for an encore. This they obliged by returning to perform their perennially popular ‘Jump’.