Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival Photo Gallery

This January, Janelle Watkins of TheSceneinTO was the Canadian journalist invited to attend the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival by the Jamaica Board of Tourism. She, along with six other respected writers, critics and photojournalists, spent four days on the island, enjoying the country’s warmth by day and taking in the festival by moonlight.

Now in its 19th staging, the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival has become one of the island’s leading musical events, drawing in tourists from around the globe. The three-day event takes place at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, just outside Montego Bay in the parish of Trelawny.

This year’s festival featured Mariah Carey as the headliner, with performances by artists including Richard Stephens, Arturo Tappin, SOJA, Magic!, and Peter Cetera. 62-year old Charlie Wilson put on a spectacular, adrenaline filled show without missing a beat. He was the clear crowd favourite and highlight of the event.