Annually regarded as one of the biggest music shows in Jamaica, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival, known for featuring premiere R&B, soul and reggae acts locally and internationally, will not be held in 2016, according to show organizers.
The shock announcement was made Monday afternoon on the festival’s official Facebook page, with organizers claiming they made every effort to stage the show in its usual late January slot, but could not pull it off. Next year’s edition would have marked the 20th year anniversary of the event.
In a Facebook post, organizers said, “While we are disappointed to not be back for 2016 (and we know how much you were looking forward to the show) rest assured we really tried to make 2016 a reality, however, things just did not work out. Therefore, instead of trying to push and stage a festival that would not be of our usual standard, we decided to postpone it.”
Next year’s edition would have marked the 20th year anniversary of the event, but that anniversary will now be celebrated at their 2017 staging.
Though they did not elaborate on specifics as to why the show will not be staged, organizers promised that they are planning a number of teasers events and one-night-only concerts in the run up to the next staging.
The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival was first staged in 1996 as a way to boost the tourism sector during its slow season (January and February) and has seen many international stars perform at the showcase, including Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Michael Bolton and countless others.