John Legend, tribute to Byron Lee highlight Air J's Jazz & Blues 2006

Janet Silvera, Coordinator Hospitality Jamaica

RHYTHM AND Blues protégé John Legend will share the stage with the dragon, Byron Lee, soulful Al Green, Maxi Priest, musical genius, James Ingram, Air Supply, Morgan Heritage and Shaggy at Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues 2006.

The three-day event, which is in its ninth year, is set to take centre stage at the scenic Rose Hall Resort and Country Club from Thursday, January 26 through to Saturday, January 28.

Legend, best known for his major debut album on Colombia Records, Get Lifted, has warmed his way into the hearts of music lovers who have come to appreciate the dynamic way he has fused classic old school soul music with the edgy flavour of 21st century hip hop.

Although new to the scene as a solo artiste, this unique and multi-talented man was recently nominated for four VIBE Awards and last month he collected MOBO Award for Best R&B Artiste.

Byron Lee (at controls) and his band the Dragonaires, has delighted fans across the world for over 50 years.	Minister of Industry and Tourism, Aloun Assamba (left) converses with director general Carole Guntley during the Jamaica Tourist Board press briefing at the Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-28) in St. Thomas, USVI

UNPARALLED CAREER

The 'Dragon', a musical legend, has had an unparalleled career in Jamaican music. Over the course of 50 years, Byron Lee and his band, the Dragonaires, has delighted fans across the world.

Lee, who played his first gig at St. George's College in 1956, will perform on the final night of the Jazz and Blues Festival.

Launched in September at the Jazz Café in New York City, the event is getting big support from the Jamaica Tourist Board.

"We are doing more external marketing," Minister of Industry and Tourism Aloun Assamba told Hospitality Jamaica during a press briefing by the Jamaica Tourist Board at the Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-28) in the United States Virgin Islands last Saturday.

She said, "Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues has become an Afro-American Diaspora event which is excellent."

Accordingly, the JTB is trying to broaden the appeal of the event and that is why the launch was done so early. "We are hoping to get even more visitors by putting corrective measures in place".