Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival returns in 2021

After a four-year hiatus, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will return in a virtual format January 28 to 30, 2021, organisers have announced.

The event, which is renowned for its rich music and cultural offerings, is now licensed to Adrian Allen of Steady Image in partnership with Marcia McDonnough of Touchstone Productions, both original members of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues team, with years of experience in various aspects of event production.

Organisers have promised that the three-day event will deliver a spectacular digital presentation across multiple platforms featuring local and international acts, totally free to viewers.

Allen, who is also the executive producer of the virtual music festival, is buoyed by the buy-in from patrons to the new virtual format of music events.

“The world has now embraced virtual events as the norm, especially for music events, and we are excited to be bringing back the magic of the Festival, and Jamaica to our global audience. Coming from the world of creating Immersive content, this presentation will be just that. Different, engaging and will provide a great opportunity to expand our audience base,” Allen said, adding “Our partners are excited by that prospect and the promise of a presentation like no other, delivered by some of the world’s musical icons.”

McDonnough said she was “beyond excited” over the return of the festival.

“Jamaica Jazz is a passion for me.  It’s been a part of my life for so long and its absence created a deep void which was never replaced.  Being offered this opportunity to bring it back at a time when the entertainment world has been so overturned by COVID, has been such a wonderful gift, and to accompany that with a showcase of Jamaica for the world to see brings me a tremendous sense of satisfaction and pride,” she said.

The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival has over the years featured a number of international music stars including Celine Dion, Air Supply, Lionel Ritchie, Mariah Carey, Babyface and Diana Ross.