Stalwarts of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival praised this year’s event, highlighting its remarkable growth over the years.
During the festival’s grand finale, The Ultimate Celebration, Barbara Jacobs-Small and Dahlia François reflected on its evolution since its inception over three decades ago.
Jacobs-Small, the founder of Tea Time Jazz, applauded the organisers for fostering regional unity: “I come to the festival for the experience. I think the festival has lived up to its brand. It’s a good escape, but at the same time, it’s a nice environment — there is great music, good food, great camaraderie, and to a certain extent, Caribbean unity of late because of the way that they have developed the brand – rebranded from Just Jazz to Jazz and Arts Festival – there is space in there for all of what the Caribbean has to offer in terms of its music. For me, there is the feeling of one region.”
A proud member of Saint Lucia’s cultural community, Jacobs-Small is also a stakeholder in the festival. She serves on the Saint Lucia National Trust council — the organisation responsible for the park where Jazz Fest is held — and is a board member of the Cultural Development Fund, which produces Art in the City.
“My association with the festival started with me being an emcee,” she said. “I was a media personality, so for about five to eight years, I emceed Pigeon Island. I always emceed the Pure Jazz night — this was the first year that I did not emcee the Pure Jazz nights. I took a break, but as an insider, I am very proud as a Saint Lucian and as a member of the cultural and artistic society of Saint Lucia.”
François, former wife of the renowned composer, arranger, and music educator, The Right Excellent Luther François, also shared her thoughts. The couple founded the October Jazz Festival in 1991, which later evolved into the tourism-driven Saint Lucia Jazz Festival.
“I just came here to enjoy the jazz. I enjoy anybody who comes on stage now. I have been coming every year since its inception in 1990. It’s growing by leaps and bounds, and it is only getting better,” she said.
