Mixed reactions to 2017 Tobago Jazz Experience line-up

The names of the artistes were revealed at a launch on Thursday at Kapok Hotel, St Clair in Portof- Spain.

R&B and Neo Soul singer, D’Angelo (Michael Eugene Archer), Vanguard Jamaican singer/songwriter Grace Jones, dancehall legend Shabba Ranks (Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon), Reggae band Morgan Heritage, local soca band Kes, and Barbadian jazz saxophonist Elan Trotman, will grace the stage in Tobago.

As the news broke, fans took to the social-media platform, Facebook, to share their views on the line-up. One commentator said, “Uninspiring, lack of imagination, out of touch are some words to describe this line up…Suggestions: Fantasia, Angie Stone, Avery Sunshine, Kem, Maxwell, Music Soul Child.” Acts such as Angie Stone, Maxwell, Toni Braxton and George Benson have graced the TJE stage already.

Another said, “Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Toni Braxton...

George Benson..... I swear D’Angelo has about three good songs.....

awaiting next year’s line-up.” One expressed, “I’m coming with my 12 members don’t matter whose [sic] preforming [sic] we jamming still Tobago rock them we coming to jam we don’t business,” playing on the lyrics of this year’s popular Carnival hit Full Extreme by MX Prime and the Ultimate Rejects.

Another said, “Yes I must see Grace Jones. She is legendary!” Chairman of the Tobago Jazz Experience committee, John Arnold, said despite budget constraints, the committee sought to deliver an “exceptional” event.

He told members of the media, “This year we have had a significant cut to the festival budget.” The budget this year is $12 million. Last year’s was $15 million.

The experience incorporates film this year, with a Jazz Film Festival workshop on producing and fund-raising on April 22 and a film screening starting off the nine-day experience. The TJE has partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company to host these events.

This year there will also be no Mt Irvine Jazz on the Beach as the organisers are seeking to re-brand the event. To compensate for the lack of Jazz on the Beach and also the absence of a show on April 29, the TJE organisers will host a free Jazz Beach Lime at Pigeon Point from 11am to 6pm. At Jazz on the Move, artistes will perform at hotels through the island again during the festival.

World Music Night and Beach Jazz Fiesta will be held on April 28 and 30 respectively and the events will cost $500 a night for general admission and $1,000 for VIPs.

Asked about the air bridge and transport for the event, administrator for the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, Umslopagaas Job, said, “Presently we are in discussion with Caribbean Airlines and we are expecting a positive outcome.”