The 17th Annual International Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival 2007 world launch, held at the Acropolis, Barbican, on Thursday, May 10. Here are Dr. Catty Brown (left); Dennis Rushton (centre); and Sonny Bradshaw, festival director. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

When the evening's host said in the early going on Thursday that "the only authentic jazz festival Jamaica has been enjoying for 17 years is this one", there were cheers from those gathered at the Acropolis, Barbican Square, New Kingston.

That authentic sound of the 17th Annual International Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival will play out over a 'Sunday to Sunday' week, from the opening day on June 10, at Morgan's Harbour Hotel, Port Royal, to the 'Closing Father's Day Jazz' at the Shaw Park Hotel, Ocho Rios, on June 17.

Director of the festival, Sonny Bradshaw, pointed out to those gathered for the official launch that the presentation of the 2007 staging was being done in London, California and Philadelphia at the same time. And while there was no official launch, "things are happening in Miami".

There are a number of events before the official 'Jazz Week', a free concert dubbed 'June is Jazz Month' setting the tone on June 1. Then 'Jazz and Coffee in the Mountains' comes on Saturday, June 9.

With Sir Henry Morgan, frockcoat, feathered hat and all, and a pistol-wielding lass greeting and announcing guests who walked through colourful gaming machines to the launch area, it was fitting that Bradshaw noted Port Royal's riotous past. That history will be a part of festival, as a 'Port Royal Cultural and Historic Tour' is a part of the 'Opening Jazz Day'. The performers will be the Jamaica Big Band, the Gina's Vendetta Quartet, Lorraine Klassen, saxophonist Frank Morgan and Fab 5 and the Bare Essentials doing a ska revival.

Educational part

Fab 5 and the Bare Essentials are also involved in what Bradshaw described as "the educational part of the jazz festival", as sponsors of the Schools Band Competition. "There are 10 bands that are going to be assessed by Marjorie Whylie and her committee," Bradshaw said.

The Jazz Week is chock-full of 'Free Jazz in Ochi and Kingston', the Ocho Riosevents being staged at Ocean Village and Island Village, with Strawberry Hill, Christopher's Jazz Café, Redbones the Blues Café and the Verandah among the Kingston venues. 'South Coast Jazz' is in Treasure Beach on Saturday, June 16, the combination of 'Jazz and Curry Goat/Jerk Chicken' being served up at Glenn's Jazz Club, Tower Isle, St. Mary, on the same day.

"Most of the concerts are free because the properties want it free," Bradshaw said.

'Closing Father's Day Jazz' features the Antelope Valley Jazz Big Band, the Chicago Blues Trio and Katherine Davis, Byard Lancaster and four flautists, saxophonist Houston Pearson and the Ska Revival with the Bare Essentials and Fab 5.

There are other guests as well, Bradshaw saying "I hear we are getting a band from Cuba and a group from Guyana".