Saint Lucia Jazz marks its 20th anniversary this year. It will take place from April 30 to May 8, 2011, at several venues: Pigeon Island National Landmark, Rodney Bay Marina, Derek Walcott Square, Pointe Seraphine Duty Free Shopping Complex, La Place Carenage, and Fond D’Or Heritage Park in St. Lucia.

Among the many Caribbean and international performers slated to take part in Saint Lucia Jazz this year are 4^th World, Anacaona, Bad Ass Brass, Carimi, Regina Carter, Chuck Brown, the Derek Yard Project, Jab Duplessis, Morgan Heritage, Angelique Kidjo, John Legend, Maceo Parker, Allison Marquis, Sixun, Mike Stern, Trey Songz, Taj Weekes, Mervyn Wilkinson, Yellowjackets, and Ledisi Young, among others.

Saint Lucia Jazz has become one of the major events on Saint Lucia’s calendar of events and surely a most anticipated event on the Caribbean’s calendar. During the month of May, the island dances to the beat of jazz when music fills the air and tourism takes on a whole new meaning to all. What started as simply a marketing event to boost tourism industry arrivals during a low peak period, has now developed into a truly Saint Lucian Festival.

As the month of May approaches each year, Saint Lucia Jazz continues to draw attention to Saint Lucia as the world waits in eager anticipation of what promises to be a star studded line-up. In 1999, Saint Lucia Jazz took on a new dimension with the addition of more side attractions, i.e. supporting jazz performances aside from main stage events. This created a more festive atmosphere and allowed the Saint Lucian public and visitors to participate in these events at little cost and quite a few free events as well. “Jazz in the South” with shows being in the village of Laborie and the towns of Vieux Fort and Soufriere all contribute towards making Saint Lucia Jazz a truly Saint Lucian experience for visitors and locals alike.