Contributed
Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right) and Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, share a laugh with former Tourism Minister, Aloun Assamba, at Thursday's opening of the three-night Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Rose Hall, Montego Bay.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding was among the thousands of Jamaicans and visitors to the island, who were thrilled by high-quality performances from local and international acts, on the opening night of the 11th annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival on Thursday in Montego Bay.

A number of government ministers, private sector officials, and members of the opposition, were also in attendance.

The bumper crowd at the show venue in Rose Hall was rocked by performances from soul singer Anita Baker; former lead singer of Kool and the Gang, J.T. Taylor; and local act A.J. 'Boots' Brown. There were also stellar performances from the jazz band Spyro Gyra, while Latin group Yerba Buena rocked the venue with the sounds of salsa and samba.

In a message released by the organisers of the festival, Turnkey Productions, the prime minister said that the annual festival adds its own value to the tourism product, as it has been able to attract thousands of visitors from as far as Europe, as well as the United States and the Caribbean.

Highly anticipated social event

The show, PM Golding said, has become a highly anticipated social event, which brings families and friends together in a spirit of camaraderie. It also offers an opportunity for new and rising stars to showcase their talent to a wide cross section of patrons.

He commend the organisers, who, over the last 11 years, have been able to bring to Jamaicans and visitors, a package of world-class topnotch international and local entertainers.

"The excitement and fervour surrounding this year's event is a clear signal that it will be one of the biggest shows to date," the prime minister's statement said.

He also lauded the many sponsors who have remained committed to the festival over the years and welcomed the new ones who have come on board.

Leader of the Opposition Portia Simpson Miller, in her message, pointed out that the festival is one of the exciting and greatly anticipated events on the entertainment calendar, which attracts many visitors from overseas as well as enthusiastic local patrons.

"This unique event offers a rich feast of musical sounds from many other countries, while highlighting our own home-grown reggae music. A platform for excellence, it features international stars from home and abroad as well as new talents bursting on the scene," she stated.