Celine Dion to make first ever Caribbean appearance
(CNS): The promoter of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival has book Celine Dion as the headline act for next month’s musical event. Walter Elmore of Art of Music Productions (AMP) began the bid to attract the singing star some two years ago and described "jumping through hoops" when he signed the deal recently. This will be the Canadian’s first performance in the Caribbean and Elmore promised “an exceptional show" for festival goers. Dion, one of the best selling female recording artistes of all time, said she was excited about the opportunity to perform for her fans in the Caribbean.
"I am looking forward to doing my very first show in the Caribbean and this is an honor for me to perform at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. What a beautiful way to meet the people of Jamaica on this, my first trip to the island. I just can't wait," she told Elmore in an e-mail.
Scheduled to perform on the Friday night of the festival, which runs from January 26 to 28, 2012, Dion is expected to woo her fans with classics such as The Power Of Love, Because You Loved Me, All By Myself, I'm Your Angel, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning classic My Heart Will Go On, and her breakthrough chartbuster Where Does My Heart Beat Now.
Joining her at the festival will be Cee-Lo Green, Nicole Henry, Heads of State, Jully Black, Earl Klugh, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Destra, Gentleman; and Jamaica's finest musical talent, including Shaggy, Richie Stephens, John Holt, Yellow Man, Half Pint, Tessanne Chin and Tami Chynn, Marcia Griffiths, Lloyd Parkes and We The People, George Nooks, Luciano, Mykal Rose, AJ Brown, Freddy McGregor, Pluto Shervington, Etana, Chris Martin, Marcia Barrett (Boney M) and Byron Lee's Dragonaires.
In honor of Jamaica's 50th Anniversary of Independence, the opening night of the festival is dedicated to the sounds that have shaped Jamaica's music over the past 50 years including ska, rocksteady, dancehall and reggae, the island nation's influential contributions to world music the promoters said in a release.
Started in 1996 by Air Jamaica, in association with the Jamaica Tourist Board and several other business entities, Walter Elmore took over the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in 2004. It has grown over the years and attracts more than 25,000 patrons annually.
Category: World News
Jamaica! Jamaica! Beautiful Jamaica, the land we love, but some a wi fraid fi live ina. Ms. Celine, please enjoy it. I am so jealous that I cannot aford to attend the Jazz Fest and enjoy sweet Jamaica.
This is a good move by Cayman's tourist ministry- send Celine Dion to Jamaica, thereby prompting thousands of Jamiacan tourists to come to Cayman that weekend. We can probably expect some boat people too, and some swimmers.
Keep Cayman free of Celine Dion!
Celine Dion's albums are the muscial equivalent of waterboarding.
Once again, Jamaica is setting the standard.
Lol, of all the proposed artists for this upcoming event, Celine Dion is the one I am least excited about.
Etana, Yellow Man, John Holt, Gentleman, Freddy McGregor, Luciano, Shaggy … the place done sell off!
However, it looks set to be a great show and anyone with any knowledge of Jamaica knows that Celine is adored for her musical talents throughout that society – 'specially a' country' … lawd!!
What are they thinking? To put the name Celine Dion in the same sentence as Jazz & Blues is an insult to music lovers everywhere!
Perhaps they have freed themselves from mental slavery. Jamaicans love and appreciate great music – period! Perhaps that's why they produce so many artists per capita. Several years ago I watched Air Supply perform at the Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay (incredible site by the way.) The artists had never been to Jamaica before, but once they saw how much they were appreciated they requested another gig within six months.
Hmmm? Let me see. You think its an insult, but Celine Dion doesn't. I think I'll go with her judgement. Unless, of course, you are a more accomplished musician.
Boy dese grapes sour eh?
Amen to that.
It's elevator music or the c**p they make you listen to when the phone puts you on hold.