GRAND BAHAMA – Bahamians will have every opportunity to enjoy the performances of international recording artists and award-winning musicians at the First Grand Bahama Island Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Festival, event organizers have announced.
The jazz festival, produced by Bill Lockett's Festivals and Travel, Inc., will be held September 18 through 21, 2003, allowing vacationers to explore The Bahamas while enjoying some of the most notable jazz performers today.ﾠ Bahamians, like international visitors, will find it easy to have a top-quality vacation experience at the festival due to specially-arranged room rates, said Terrance Roberts, executive vice president of Grand Bahama Tourism Board.
"The jazz festival has generated tremendous interest internationally, particularly in the United States," Mr. Roberts said. "The event is drawing large numbers of visitors from the U.S., who are taking advantage of our travel packages.ﾠ So it is only fitting that we provide the same type of convenience for our Bahamian population."
Mr. Roberts pointed out that Bahamians living abroad may also take advantage of the travel packages that are available from several U.S. gates.
The festival will showcase 2003 Grammy Award Winner Dave Valentin, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, Houston Person, The Intruders, Ray Schinnery and Seleno Clarke. In addition, two local Bahamian acts, The Edwin "Apple" Elliott Quintet and The G-Notes All Starz will also be performing throughout the weekend.
The Bahamas has a history of producing great jazz festivals, hosting the first major jazz festival ever in the Caribbean in 1986 in Nassau,
which was also produced by Bill Lockett. Together, The Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism and the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board will be hosting this year's festivities in conjunction with the Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino and The Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort to celebrate the tradition of jazz in The Bahamas.
The festival kicks off Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. with jazz performances by Seleno Clarke and The Edwin "Apple" Elliott Quintet on the Great Lawn at Our Lucaya.ﾠ Daily festival highlights throughout the week include Jazz On The Beach and Jazz In Count Basie Square, located at the Port Lucaya Market Place. Live performances will come from The G-Notes All Starz and Seleno Clarke, as well as a performance from Dave Valentin, Grammy winner for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year on Saturday, September 20.
"This lineup of musicians is a treat for jazz lovers and anyone with an appreciation for wonderful music," said Mr. Lockett.ﾠ "These artists are among the greatest and they promise to make this first festival a memorable one."
Bahamians interested in attending the jazz festival would be able to stay at the Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort for $89 per night (single or double occupancy).ﾠ The special rate at the Westin at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort is $99 per night (single or double occupancy).ﾠ Taxes, gratuities and a $7.80 service charge per person, per night are not included in the rates.
U.S. Airways, LibGo and Grand Bahama Vacations are currently selling vacation packages for consumers
ﾠinterested in experiencing the culture of Grand Bahama Island while enjoying the relaxed ambiance at the Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Festival. LibGo is offering air and land packages beginning at $608 from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta and Washington, DC. Grand Bahama Vacations offers 3 or 4-night packages beginning at $391 from Tampa, Cleveland, Atlanta and Baltimore, which includes concert tickets for the festival.ﾠ U.S. Airways is offering air-only trips from various east coast cities beginning at $168.
For more information contact the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board at (242) 352-8044 or visit the official website at www.grand-bahama.com, or info@gbmot.com.
Photos from top to bottom: The Blue Notes, Ray Schinnery, Seleno Clarke and Dave Valentin.
