Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Walter Elmore, managing director of Turnkey Productions, organisers of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, in discussion with Ian Gibson, managing director of Tent City, one of the sponsors of the festival, at the event's launch at the Gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus, on Friday. In the background is public relations consultant Don Creary. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will celebrate 10 years with a new venue, some old faces, more days and its own radio station.

Details of the 2007 staging, which runs from Sunday, January 21, to Saturday, January 27, the last three days being at the new venue, the Rose Hall Aqueduct, were announced at the Gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston, on Friday evening.

Among the old faces will be Kenny Rogers and Monty Alexander.

Festival producer, Walter Elmore of Turnkey Productions, said that for the anniversary it was decided to bring back some persons who had helped build the festival over the years.

There was applause from the large gathering when Marcia McDonnough of Touchstone Productions announced the last name on the extensive line-up, Earth, Wind and Fire.

They are the latest addition to a list that includes Abba and the Tribute, Cindi Lauper, Michael Bolton, Christopher Cross, Robert Tompkin sand the New Stylistics, Juan Areco, Roy Ayers, Anthony Hamilton and Pieces of Dream.

Shaggy, Wayne Wonder, Luciano and Freddie McGreggor are among the performers in a special 90-minute tribute to 'The Art of Reggae'.

Starts in Kingston

With the expanded days, the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival starts in Kingston with 'Jazz at the Pegasus'. It moves to Montego Bay with 'Jazz on the Strip' from January 22 to 24, with 'Jazz in the Ballroom' at Half Moon coinciding with the second and third days. The festival then moves to its new home for the three big nights.

It will also take to the airwaves on Jazz FM, a private radio station with limited coverage over which the public will be kept up to date on details of the event.

Explaining the venue shift, McDonnough said, "a lot of people were dissatisfied last year, especially on Saturday night when it got a little bit crowded". To solve the matter, the festival's last three days were moved to a venue five times bigger than Cinnamon Hill, which has hosted the event since 2002.

Something will be smaller, though, as the drinks prices will be lower than last year's.

Guest speaker Dr. Wykeham McNeill, State Minister for Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, said that the average visitor to the festival from overseas spends US$1,000, while the average Jamaican who goes spends $37,000.

Over 40,000 attendees in 2006

McDonnough said that over 40,000 persons attended Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues 2006, and went with the greenback in announcing the prices, with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the January 21 to 27 event costing US$60. Friday night costs US$65 and Saturday US$70.

Ian Gibson of On Que Productions explained the Jazz Fest Quest, a talent search in South Florida, Atlanta, Washington DC and New York in the U.S.A. Winners will perform at the festival.

Bands from Jamaica will also have a chance to perform on the Ocean Spray small stage, as there will be auditions at Coral Cliff in Montego Bay on December 17 and The Deck, New Kingston, on the 20th.