Across the Caribbean Diaspora, Jamaican promoter Walter Elmore’s Art of Music Productions (AMP) successful bid to attract mega star Celine Dion to the 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is being viewed as a boost for the festival and for the region.
Two years ago when the organization began its efforts to entice the musical icon to the festival, they had no idea how they could pull it off. “But I’m a firm believer that if you have an idea, you work at it. If you don’t try you’ll never succeed,” says Elmore, AMP’s chairman.
Inking the deal, Elmore says, took some “jumping through hoops” but now that all systems are set for Dion’s first performance in the Caribbean, he is understandably very excited. “Her production team is amazing and has been working with my team to make sure that everything’s in place. It is going to be an exceptional show,” he promises.
Canadian Celine Dion, one of the best selling female recording artistes of all time, is also excited about the opportunity to perform for her fans in the Caribbean. As she emailed to Elmore: “I am looking forward to doing my very first show in the Caribbean and this is an honor for me to perform at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. What a beautiful way to meet the people of Jamaica on this, my first trip to the island. I just can’t wait.”
Scheduled to perform on the Friday night of the festival, which runs from January 26 to 28, 2012, Dion is expected to woo her fans with classics such as: The Power Of Love; Because You Loved Me; All By Myself; I’m Your Angel; the Grammy and Academy Award-winning classic, My Heart Will Go On; and her breakthrough chartbuster, Where Does My Heart Beat Now.
In addition to Celine Dion, a dazzling lineup of top international, regional and local superstars has been announced for the three-day festival which takes place at the Trelawny Stadium.
Joining her on the lineup are Cee-Lo Green, Nicole Henry, Heads of State, Jully Black, Earl Klugh, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Destra, Gentleman; and Jamaica’s finest musical talent, including Shaggy, Richie Stephens, John Holt, Yellow Man, Half Pint, Tessanne Chin and Tami Chynn, Marcia Griffiths, Lloyd Parkes and We The People, George Nooks, Luciano, Mykal Rose, AJ Brown, Freddy McGregor, Pluto Shervington, Etana, Chris Martin, Marcia Barrett (Boney M) and Byron Lee’s Dragonaires.
In honor of Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence, the opening night of the festival is dedicated to all the rich sounds that have shaped Jamaica’s music over the past 50 years, and so it will feature ska, rocksteady, dancehall and reggae, the island nation’s influential contributions to world music.
