One of the features of Christmas time in Barbados is the plethora of shows and concerts during the season. But what is special around this time is the “Christmas Jazz” show. Christmas Jazz is one of the most anticipated concerts in Barbados during the season, often selling out long before the date of the show.
2015 marked the 13th year of Christmas Jazz, now firmly established as a staple of Christmas in Barbados. In fact, it has even become one of the best live performance concerts in the entire Caribbean, attracting scores of persons locally, regionally and internationally. In the early years, Christmas Jazz was mainly held at the Plantation Theatre in St. Lawrence Main Road. However, the show has also been held at the Ilaro Court, the residence of the Prime Minister of Barbados.
The show has featured some of the biggest names in the music industry such as Gerald Albright, Eric Darius, George Duke, Sheila E, Rachelle Ferrell and Shelea Frazier to name a few. In 2015, the show featured performances by
- The Arturo Tappin Band with Arturo Tappin, saxophone (Barbados);
- Dennis Rollins, trombone (Jamaica);
- Alexis Baro, trumpet (Cuba);
- Dane Gulston, steel pan (Trinidad),
The highly anticipated 2016 Christmas Jazz will be held on December 18th at the Ilaro Court, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael. The show features the musical talents of Nicholas Brancher, Keith Anderson, Maurice Brown and the vocals of Judith Hill. You can enjoy the show in theatre style seating on the lawn or bring your blanket and sit on the slopes on the ground of the Prime Minister’s residence.
In addition to these fantastic artistes, the show also features an all-star band, comprised of the most prominent touring and recording professionals in the music industry. These include, but are not limited to Kevin Bacon, Luis Conte (Phil Collins, Al Di Meola, James Taylor), Sonny Emory (Earth, Wind & Fire, Stanley Clark, David Sunburn), Giovanni Hidalgo (Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmieri), Bashiri Johnson (Michael Jackson, Herbie Hancock, George Benson), Bobby Lyle (George Benson, Yellow Jackets, Ronnie Laws), Ricky Peterson (David Sanborn, Prince), John “Li’l John” Roberts (Herbie Hancock, George Duck, Najee).
If you are planning a stay in Barbados during the Christmas season, Christmas Jazz is one of those shows that is a ‘must see’. Tickets are usually sold out as soon as they go on sale (although there is a pay at the door fee) so it is best to grab yours early. Do not miss out on the opportunity to catch Christmas Jazz on your next Christmas holiday stay in Barbados. It will truly be a great experience.
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