This summer the Caribbean will be sizzling with entertainments, from mainstream jazz to the tantalizing sounds reggae, dancehall, calypso, soca and R & B. In addition the music visitors can expect to enjoy the plenty of sun, sand and good food that the Caribbean has to offer.
This year’ Caribbean jazz and music festivals will feature what is likely the most diverse musical presentation yet, with a variety of the most popular Caribbean destinations getting into the act, so to speak. The presentations planned at various Caribbean islands even include a music festival dedicated to blues
CEM rounds up 10 of the best music festival across the from Aruba and Anguilla to St. Kitts and St. Lucia
ARUBA: Soul Beach Music Festival 2015 - MAY 20-25, 2015
This Memorial Day Weekend bash will headline Trey Songz and Charlie. Join Soul Music Lovers from around the world and take part in amped-up nightclubs, sizzling wet and wild beach parties beach parties, and music concert in this five-days of power-packed event.
www.soulbeach.net
BARBDOS – Reggae Festival - April 19, 2015 - April 26, 2015
The Barbados Reggae Festival is a mixture of the sweet sound of Reggae Music with the compliments of the soothing Caribbean Sea breeze and atmosphere! It is a week of spectacular events and the most popular reggae event on the island.
Crop Over Festival –June 27 – August 3
The Crop Over Festival in Barbados which ends with the spectacular Carnival/Kadooment Parade is the season used to celebrate the ending of the local Sugar Cane harvest, and is distinctly unique from the Carnival festivities in other Caribbean countries.
CURACAO: International BlueSeas Festival – My 7 - 9
It’s a celebration of “traditional and gentrified” jazz music where on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 May, nine artists will give free concerts in the streets of Punda, while on Saturday 9 May the festival will close with two concerts on the Kleine Werf, the quay in the port of the St Anna Bay.
Blues Brothers, and new artists Kat Riggins, The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and Moreland & Arbuckle.
http://www.curacaoblueseasfestival.com/
North Sea Jazz Festival – August 29 -30
Now in its 5th year this Dutch island’s soul, jazz, hip-hop and R&B festival will include acts such as Bruno Mars, Chaka Khan, Dianne Reeves, Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Juan Luis Guerra on three stages. This is one of the Caribbean’s priciest music fests, but with such star wattage, Sea Jazz offers plenty of bang for your buck.
http://www.curacaonorthseajazz.com/nl/
.JAMAICA: Reggae Sumfest – July 12 – 18
Now in its 21st year, the bass-driven Montego Bay bashment traditionally features local reggae and dancehall artists (Rohan Marley, Sean Paul, Buju Banton) alongside international stars (Mary J. Blige, Usher, Jay-Z), and this year The Voice season five winner Tessanne Chin will grace the stage in front of her home crowd.
SAINT LUCIA: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival – April 30 – May 10
The 24th edition of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is slated for April 30 to May 10 at various locations. Performances will be set against the iconic and historic Pigeon Island National Landmark backdrop, along with other scenic vistas across Saint Lucia, showcasing an innovative infusion of Music and Arts designed to highlight the island's rich historic and cultural legacy.
Recently added to the lineup were Grammy Award-winning R&B singer and songwriter Chrisette Michele, and Trinidadian soca singer and songwriter Destra Garcia.
Other featured performers will include the iconic Jamaican reggae musician and actor Jimmy Cliff; Jon Secada, a two-time Grammy Award winner; American rapper Flo Rida; two-time Grammy nominee Joey DeFranceso and pop singer Robin Thicke.
http://stluciajazz.org/
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Tobago Jazz Experience – April 19 -26
The weeklong festival is a fusion of music, heritage, cuisine, hospitality and everything that is Tobago, with performances slated for the Tobago coastal town of Speyside, Tobago’s Pigeon Point Heritage Park and at other sites across the dual-island nation. The event will offer a truly outstanding array of artists, including recording star and actress Jennifer Hudson, legendary R&B band Kool and the Gang and highly regarded singer-songwriter Jill Scott.
Recently added to the lineup were Jamaican dancehall stars Romain Virgo and Busy Signal; also slated to perform are Miguel, David Rudder and soca star Olatunji. The event is sponsored by Tobago’s Division of Tourism and Transportation.
http://tobagojazzexperience.com/
ST.KITTS: Music Festival - June 25 to 27
In its 19th year, the Festival features traditionally features a wide range of musical styles including R&B, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, rock, calypso, gospel and contemporary music.
The lineup this year promises to be equally eclectic, with Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano, Chicago’s Bill Champlin, legendary reggae singer Freddie McGregor and more.
http://stkittsmusicfestival.com/