Reggae, jazz and Latin groups have begun their quest to make a debut on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2007, slated for Montego Bay, St. James.

The idea of having performers go on a 'Jazz Fest Quest' in Hollywood, Florida, to get a chance at performing on the festival came from Turn Key Productions CEO, Walter Elmore. "Walter is a guy who loves to give opportunities and a break to show off their talents. If they are good then the world will see," said Alrick 'Rico' Morris, operations coordinator for the festival.

The competition takes the format of the popular network programme, 'American Idol'. The winner will earn an all-expense-paid trip to the festival, where he or she will serve as an opening act for some of the headliners.

Morris sees the new twist as a way of selling Jamaica as tourist destination. "Every band has followers and the band that wins will mostly bring their followers to the festival," he said.

According to the Florida newspaper Sun Sentinel, the Jazz Fest Quest will also include auditions in Atlanta, New York and Washington D.C. Each competition will include judges from the entertainment industry who, along with the audience, will determine the winner.

Greg Truman heads the festival's marketing department and he is closely monitoring the competition from Miami, Florida. Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton and Cyndi Lauper have signed on to perform at the festival's 2007 staging.

A.J.