SAINT LUCIA  – Major Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival stakeholder, Labowi Promotions,producers of the popular ‘Jazz in the South’ series of concerts, has announced its 2014 lineup. Opting to consolidate into one major offering on May 4th at the Rudy John Beach Park in Laborie, included in this year’s roster, from the south of Saint Lucia, is The Shomari and Wendell Jazz Project; from Martinique, The Gregory Privat Quintet featuring namesake pianist and composer Gregory Privat; and rounding out the unique blend of creole jazz for which Jazz in the South is known, The Jazz Racine Haiti Project of Guadeloupean Jacques Schwarz-Bart, featuring festival mainstay Etienne Charles on trumpet and “Prince of Haitian Roots Music” Erol Josué.

Since its inception in 1997,Jazz in the South has attracted some of the most recognizable names in Caribbean music, including Grammy Award nominee Orlando 'Maraca' Valle, Carimi,Strings, Kali, Barbara Cadet, Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, Eric Bonheur, Pedrito Martinez, Exile One, Michele Henderson, as well as Malavoi from Martinique, Arturo Tappin from Barbados and Monty Alexander from Jamaica. “Jazz in the South is still about Creole infused Caribbean Jazz,” says Len Leonce of Labowi Promotions, “We’re committed to presenting Saint Lucia with a jazz product that is well rounded, and representative of our diverse culture and experiences.”

On May 4th, Jazz in the South will continue to add to its legacy of excellence with its usual blend of quality Caribbean music, mouthwatering local food, relaxing atmosphere and in keeping with the revamped nature of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, a photographic exhibition of Caribbean jazz musicians, fitting for a location which has played host to many Caribbean greats.

In addition, a number of training and educational opportunities will be offered, including a dance and music workshop conducted by Haitian Erol Josué, exploring the link between voodoo culture and artistic tradition as well as a master class conducted by saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart at the Saint Lucia School of Music.

An additional workshop will host music teachers in the South of the island.

About the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival

The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival opens on April 30th 2014 at the Mindoo Phillip Park. The festival’s main headliners include celebrated multiple Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Dee-Dee Bridgewater, Barrington Levy, Teddyson John featuring Alison Hinds, P-Square, Tessanne Chin, The Commodores and Maxwell. The EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of the 2014 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. PLATINUM sponsor is Digicel - Be Extraordinary. GOLD sponsors are Heineken, The Wave, HTS, Karib Cable, Colombus, Flow LUCELEC and Radio Caribbean International. SILVER sponsor is Cotton Bay Village St. Lucia. BRONZE sponsors are Bank of Saint Lucia Ltd, Chairman’s Reserve – Finest St. Lucian Rum, Radio Caribbean International, RBC Royal Bank and RBTT Bank Ltd. COLLATERAL sponsors are Avis Rent a Car, Blue Waters, DBS, ExelSign, Guy’s Car Rental and Radio St. Lucia.For more information on the full lineup for Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2014 along with show dates, venues and ticket sales, log onto www.stluciajazz.org ,download the festival app: http://bit.ly/1eJpjjh or email us at slutour@candw.lc