Despite a late start, Choiseul Jazz Fiesta, a Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival community event, was very enjoyable.
The event, held at the La Fargue playing field over the weekend, saw scores of patrons turning out for the night-time event which was a first since the festival returned to its expansive format in 2023.
The beauty of Choiseul Jazz Fiesta ironically was that it was not overproduced and lacked exaggerated stage management. There appeared to be a natural and organic synergy between patrons and stage as each act was given a warm reception – most deservingly so.
Among them was home-grown creative Chosen Stones backed up by the Galvanize Yutes, who took advantage of a large platform to expose their raw talent.
The band MTX, relatively new on the scene, did a fantastic job with their set and backing Arthur Allain and Imran Nerdy who matched the energy from the band and the crowd with equal fervour.
Ricky T was in fine form not only doing his popular numbers but also engaging the audience with a bit of country and gospel. His “brothers from another mother” as he put it – Bronx and Matta – joined him on stage for their collaboration Better than Them as well as some of their own hits.
The night ended with King Bubba of Barbados appearing with WCK from Dominica. The original bouyon kings unleashed tracks like Balance Batty and Met Veye among others, before police reminded organisers to end the event at the agreed time of 2 a.m.
Despite some pleading from Ricky T who joined WCK on stage for a premature finale and chants from patrons for more, law enforcement stuck to their guns and the event ended abruptly at about 2:10 am.
It is safe to say, based on the success of this inaugural, that Choiseul is set to become a mainstay on the calendar of community events for the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
