By Ayanna Kirton, Staff Reporter THE CURTAINS have come down on a successful staging of the 'Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival', one of the island's premier musical events.
"We were very pleased with the turnout this year," said Oliver Mair, Air Jamaica's regional marketing manager for Jamaica and the Caribbean. He was speaking about the four-day concert held in Rose Hall, St. James from January 22-25.
"It was the largest jazz and blues festival we have ever had," Mr. Mair said.
Robert Russell was vague about the total number of tickets sold for the concert. The co-executive producer of the event and representative of Turn Key Productions, the company responsible for the organisation of the concert, said the proceeds from all ticket outlets had not yet been accounted for.
However, Mr. Russell told Wednesday Business, based on the turnout and the anticipated returns, he was confident that a profit would be made.
Walter Elmore, a director from Turn Key Productions, estimated the total number of patrons for the jazz and blues festival at 21,500 with the majority of concert-goers attending Saturday night's production at 9,000 persons.
With lower-end tickets priced at US$45 per night, Thursday night, the first of the concert, saw 4,000 patrons. Friday night saw 8,000 and Sunday the gospel segment of the festival saw far less patrons with approximately 500 people in attendance.
These numbers, he said, also included complimentary ticket holders as well as production staff. It is estimated that the festival grossed approximately US$1 million.
The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival featured contemporary and older international jazz, blues and country acts, as well as leading local performers.
Among the all star line-up were Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys, Cassandra Wilson, Michael MacDonald, Beres Hammond, India Arie and Kenny Rogers. According to Mr. Russell, the total cost of these acts amounted to approximately 65 per cent of the total budget, which he chose not to disclose at this time. He earlier said that it would have cost US$600,000 to stage the event.
With all the detailed planning involved in staging an event of this magnitude, it was not entirely smooth sailing for the organisers this year. Six men were arrested in connection with the production and distribution of bogus concert tickets last Saturday night, which impacted considerably on the organisers' revenue.
"A man was held with counterfeit tickets valued at $243,000 at the venue," said Mr. Russell. "We have also found out that counterfeit tickets were being used for several days and not only on Saturday and based on our investigations these tickets could cause us to lose several hundred thousand dollars," he said.
Nevertheless, Mr. Russell said all expenses incurred by the organisers to stage the concert were met.
"All our bills have been paid," he said. "Those who haven't collected yet have not come to pick up their cheques."
