JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES 2015 KICKS OFF TONIGHT WITH A TRIBUTE TO JOHN HOLT!

FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny —

Veteran deejay Josey Wales, singers George Nooks, Judy Mowatt and Oscar B are among the performers slated to perform at the kick-off of Jamaica Jazz and Blues 2015 tonight.

Other acts on tonight’s line-up include singers Errol Dunkley, Cornell Campbell and vocal group The Tamlins, all backed by Lloyd Parks and We The People Band.

Each act will dedicate part of their sets to the late John Holt who died last year.

George Nooks

On the issue of paking and security commander of the Trelawny Police Division, Superintendent Wilford Campbell, said that the police are ready to provide safety for patrons and monitor the expected large traffic at the Trelawny Stadium tonight.

He noted that his members will be boosted by personnel from outside the division.

“We have adequate personnel. It should be smooth sailing,” Superintendent Campbell told the Observer West.

He also detailed plans to provide additional parking areas, especially for Friday night, when a bumper crowd is expected at the venue.

Errol Dunkley

“We will also have alternative parking areas; one on Market Street, Falmouth and the other at the pier (Falmouth Cruise Shipping Pier),” Superintendent Campbell disclosed.

Flow paints ‘Jazz’ blue

Meanwhile telecommunications firm Flow are urging patrons to wear outfits with the colour blue and have their picture taken in order to win a special prize.

“The winner of the Wear Blue for Jazz promotion has the chance of winning a weekend for two at an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica. So we want everyone to wear their best blue outfit and win with us,” Flow sponsorship manager Nicole Campbell said.

John Holt

Flow, which will power the event with its wireless Internet, earlier this month, signed on to partner with FRA Production of Soul and Entertainment, organisers of Jazz and Blues.

In a statement from Flow, Corporate Communications Manager Naomi Francis said that patrons will be able to connect as soon as they enter the venue.

“We know we are in the social media era and so Internet connection is critical at major events. Patrons who come to Jazz will be able to take pictures and videos and post on social media to share their experience with their friends. Its now commonplace for us to share our platform with fast speed Internet, and this year we anticipate it will be big given the global superstar Mariah Carey will be performing,” said Francis.

Francis said that Flow would also have special activities to celebrate the superstar performance that Carey is expected to deliver.

Meanwhile, according to Campbell, Flow will also offer signature cocktails to “early bird” patrons who visit their corporate booth.

“The cocktails will be coloured blue just to add some more excitement to the event. We may also have an additional special surprise for our guests too,” Campbell disclosed.

Jamaica Jazz and Blue will start today and ends on Saturday, January 31.

The three-day festival will feature headliner Mariah Carey, The Pointer Sisters, Magic!; former lead singer of the group Chicago, Peter Cetera; R&B soul icon Charlie Wilson; North American based Reggae band Soja and Bajan saxophonist Arturo Tappin; Jamaican roots-reggae group Morgan Heritage and reggae singer Richie Stephens among others.