Faced with the need to increase the numbers of passengers traveling to the island, Allen Chastenet, the then Vice President of Air Jamaica envisioned an event which would solve his problem by encouraging visitors to come to Jamaica.
Enlisting the support of well established and experienced producer Walter Elmore, he put together a team and in November 1996, with an audience of 1,500 persons, the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival was born overlooking the sea, on the beautuful lawns of the historic Rose Hall Great House. Over the next three years, the festival presented a variety of exceptional musicians including George Bensen, Erykah Badu, Najee, The Isley Brothers, Black Uhuru and many more.
In 1998 the festival moved to James Bond Beach in Ocho Rios, a new venue not yet known by the public, and where it remained for five years. During this time it featured the likes of Gladys Knight, Kenny G, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires, Kool and the Gang, Chaka Khan, Eric Benet, Al Jarreau to name a few.
In the first years, the festival was held in November and October, dates chosen to fulfill the objective of increasing visitor arrivals to the island during the soft tourist season. In 1999 there was no festival as this proved to be a decison year as to the future of the festival. Rain had haunted the event year after year, resulting in either cancelation or shortening of performances, and this combined with the worry about decreasing sponsorship for the event, created grave concerns for the organisors. Hence after serious consideration the decision was made to postpone the festival. January 20-23, 2000 became the new dates , a period which now marks what is now considered to the kick off of the Jamaican entertainment calender.
In 2001 the festival was lured back to Montego Bay by a group of hoteliers and the move was made to what was soon to become the favourite venue for the event, Cinnamon Hill golf course. For five years, many unforgettable experiences were created under the magical Jamaican skies on these precisely manicured lawns surrounded by hillside bonfires. Patrons were thrilled with the performances of Kenny Rogers, Air Supply, Dionne Warwick, Alicia Keyes, John Legen, Nora Jones, Bo Diddly, Monty Alexander, Third World, Shaggy, Pattie Labelle, Al green and others. They sang and the people came, and under the guidance of Walter Elmore, the current owner of the event who took over the reigns in 2004, it became Jamaicas largest festival, bringing thousands of visitors to the islands and thousands of Jamaicans to Montego Bay.
As the reviews about the festival got out both locally and internationally, the attendance grew to over 35,000, forcing yet another move and in 2006 the Aqueduct at Rose Hall became the new home. At this venue patrons were treated to legends such as Earth Wind and Fire, Diana Ross, Chicago, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, Spyrogyra, Randy Crawford, Koko Taylor, plus new entrants such as Nikki Yanofsky, Matisyahu, Estelle.
In 2009, the national airline relinquished the title and the event became the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival with the Jamaica Tourist Board as the new title sponsor.
Not to be stop by challenges and never afraid to be the trend setter, the festival once again pulled up its roots in 2010 and moved to the Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny. Amidst much criticism and skeptism, the organisors worked tirelessly to ensure that the festival would retain the ambiance and style that it has become known for, and on opening the gates of its new home on January 24, 2010, their efforts were rewarded by unanimous approvalof the new venue by the patrons. The new home provided convenience and comfort and resulted in one of the best festivals in its 14 year history. Hall and Oates, Joss Stone, Machel Montano HD, Jon Secada, Babyface combined with crowd favourites Gladys Knight, Monty Alexander, Third World and Billy Ocean, made for three nights of mindblowing musical delights.
Plans have already been set into gear for the 15th anniversary celebrations. The organisors, now satisfied that the festival has found a permanent home, have puled out all stops to ensure that the 2011 event surpasses all that has gone before. The Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival is growing up and promises to kick off its next 15 years with a spectacular bang!!
