2013 JAZZ on the Green set for April

The fourth annual JAZZ on the Green is set to take place at the Emerald Valley Casino on Saturday, April 27, 2013.{{more}}

Organizers say preparations for the event, which has showcased top regional and international acts over the past years, are in full gear.

Jazz is a musical style that is said to have originated at the beginning of the 20th century in black communities in the southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions.

This year, Jamaica Jazz Invasion will be one of the major acts on show, a release from the organizers says. The group, collectively and individually, have performed on various jazz, cabaret and reggae events all over the world, including, the St Lucia Jazz Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, Reggae Sunsplash and Rebel Salute.

Also on the 2013 line-up are Boo Hinkson of St Lucia, pannist Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe of Trinidad and Nicholas Brancher.

The show, promoted by Friends of Jazz, is one of two done annually by the local group. According to the spokesperson for Friends of Jazz, Keith Boyea, patrons can expect the usual spectacular show. He noted that this year the repertoire of the performers is extraordinary, and that they are all reputable entertainers.

Boyea noted that there has been some speculation that this year’s event will not take place and he wants to reassure the public that JAZZ on the Green is on the calendar. He says that the show will be promoted and organized exclusively by Friends of Jazz. The main sponsors for the event are Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines and First Citizens Investment Services.

According to Boyea, in addition to providing top quality entertainment, the organizers have recognized the importance of giving back to the community. In 2012, the group donated linen and a television set to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and the Lewis Punnett Home, valued over $30,000. The group has also provided financial assistance to a number of persons to assist with medical expenses.

In the past three years, a number of popular entertainers have performed at the show, including A.J. Browne, Ceser Lopez, D.J., Kathy Brown, and Tia Fuller who performs with international recording artist Beyonce.