Diana Ross Booed at Air Jamaica Jazz/Blues

I was very surprised to read this morning in the Observer, where Diana Ross (The Diva) was booed relentlessly Sunday at the Festival. It seems the Diva did not want her image recorded anywhere, so she was adamant about no big screens inside the venue.
I just want to say that I remember seeing her concert on HBO in the early 1990's in Central Park
and there were big screens galore. Many of these celebs forget that as you start aging and relying on your previous fame (ala Michael Jackson) that you need as much "positive" press as you can.

Quoted from the Observer, "failure to interact with the audience added insult to injury as people in the middle of the gathering started to sound their discontent. This quickly transferred to the VIP section, which, though closer to the stage, still did not provide its
inhabitants with a clear view."

An Irate Patron shouted,"Dem shoulda throw bottle pon har, all 20,000 people in di venue."


The Gleaner has learnt that Ross was paid US$300,000 (J$21 million) to perform on the show.

Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival Updates

I tell you what, I am so jealous of who got to see Anita Baker recently at the Air Jamaica Blues Festival in Montego Bay. Anita Baker has been my favorite singer for as long as I can remember. Her voice ranks high with the great Phyllis Hyman. I was able to see several shows on JumpTv
I also get to keep up with live news in Jamaica, and other islands.

One good thing I read today in the Jamaica Gleaner was the the Air Jamaica Jazz an Blues Festival now seems to have a permanent home. The festival is to get a permanent home at Success Beach, Rose Hall in Montego Bay. This has been and ongoing collaboration between Urban Development Corporation and Ministry of Tourism. The residents o Lilliput, Barret Hall, Barret Town, Grange Pen, Greenwood and Long Bay are going to reap the benefits of the tourism from this move.

The festival raps up today, and has been very successful. Even though I heard Jill Scott and Hugh Masekla tore it up. Jamaica's own "Chalice" was indeed a crowd pleaser.

Here is a Video that some at the festival uploaded to YouTube. This is of my girl Anita Baker. As I get more I will add them to this thread.

Air Jamaica Jazz an Blues Festival

Well, it as announced recently that Cbean Media will stream the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival (January 24th to January 26) live so that people worldwide can enjoy it. This has never happened in its 13 year history.

According to Sherra Pierre-March of Cbean Media, "For a small fee, fans will be able to get a front seat to performances from all the Caribbean artistes as well as those entertainers on the Art Of Music stage, without leaving their computer. Additionally, the live stream, will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the artistes and fans alike. To access the event live, log on to www.cbeanmedia.tv between January 24 and 26.

This festival will have a fantastic lineup, Chalice, AJ Brown, Marjorie Whylie, Diana Ross, Anita Baker, Billy Ocean, Jill Scott, Koko Taylor, Spyro Gyra, Ryan Shaw,Lou Gramm, Yerba Buena an 13yr old sensation Nikki.


The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, since its introduction in 1996, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica.

I am so envious of the people who have the opportunity to see this live. What a monumental event. Jamaica a do big tings mon.



Source: Jamaican Observer