Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

No matter how many local shows some international acts perform at, their novelty never seems to wear off.

Some of these big names have performed at least twice - sometimes in one year. Among them are Michael Bolton, Air Supply, Kenny Rogers, Akon and Keyshia Cole. Lionel Richie will soon join the list with another performance this weekend at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay. Yet, they still manage to draw large audiences.

Popular

Air Supply, for instance, has performed in Jamaica four times in three years. In 2006, the group performed at Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and later at Air Supply In Concert, which was held at the National Indoor Sports Centre. In 2008, it was another Air Supply In Concert and the Food For the Poor Children For Charity concert.

Michael Bolton performed twice in 2007 at Jazz and Blues and One Night Only.

Hip-hop artiste Akon has also been a popular performer locally. He performed at Reggae Sumfest in 2007 and 2008. In 2006, he performed at Lady Saw's Celebrity Walkout and Beenie Man's Summer Sizzle.

And, Freddie Jackson, who delivered a stellar performance at Beres Hammond's A Moment In Time in December, is set to do it again at Valentine's On The Harbour in February.

Still 'fresh'

Marvin 'Horseman' Wallace, who is promoting the Valentine's show, said he believes Freddie Jackson is still 'fresh' because he was not advertised for Hammond's show.

Wallace added that certain artistes have a special appeal over their counterparts.

"People like these sort of shows and the vintage artistes," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

Carlette DeLeon of Headline Entertainment, which does publicity for Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, said international acts are brought back to the festival based on the requests received from patrons.

"It is completely based on public opinion (who we bring back). It is based on the feedback from the people who attend the festival, how people react to the artistes onstage and the requests and letters we receive," DeLeon told The Sunday Gleaner.

"It is also based on the likeability of the artistes to the Jamaican populace. So, if you like him, he will come. It's not about the novelty, it's about the enjoyability."

Robert Russell, chairman of Summerfest Productions, which puts on Reggae Sumfest, said international artistes are not usually brought back to the island. However, he thought Akon deserved a second appearance last year after performing at the show in 2007.

"Because he (Akon) had some new music and he was a big hit when he performed the last time, some people did not get to see him and only heard about it and people that saw him before wanted to see him again. He was worth every cent that we paid," Russell told The Sunday Gleaner.

"Normally, we don't bring back artistes that quick unless they were outstanding and Akon was outstanding."

Beyoncé a possibility

Russell said Summerfest Promotions would not book international artistes more than once, or for a second time as quickly as Akon, unless they have many hit songs, increased popularity or newly released tracks.

Although Lionel Richie performed at Reggae Sumfest in 2004, Russell believes he will still do well when he performs at Jamaica Jazz and Blues.

"He (Lionel Richie) did well at Sumfest and I am sure he is going to do well at Jazz and Blues Festival because he has a large repertoire of music," Russell said.

He said he would love to have Beyoncé on Reggae Sumfest again, but that depends on her affordability.