WESTERN BUREAU:

Photo by Claudine Housen - International performer Shaggy is one of the acts to look out for.

It may not be in the name, but reggae is very much a part of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival. So much so, in fact, that there is a special segment dedicated to the 'Art of Reggae'.

Even before that, though, in keeping with a tradition that has seen Morgan Heritage, Maxi Priest, Richie Stephens and Shaggy performing on Jazz and Blues, Peter Lloyd will be sharing the bill with Michael Bolton, 'Abba The Tribute', Roy Young and Pieces of a Dream on Thursday, the first night at the Rose Hall Aqueduct.

But it is on Friday night that Shaggy, Wayne Wonder and Sanchez will expound the Art of Reggae, roots reggae, lover's rock and hardcore deejay combining in a delicious blend of drum and bass, singing and deejay.

It will be on a night when Kenny Rogers and his country and western classics, the soul of Christopher Cross, the Robert Cray band and Newa will be on, placing near non-stop reggae hits in a truly global context.

And on the final night of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2007, Monty Alexander is sure to drop in some reggae as he shares the stage with Earth, Wind and Fire, Juan Areco and Anthony Hamilton, among others, making sure that reggae is involved in Jazz and Blues to the very end.