Grammy and Academy award winner Jennifer Hudson, neo-soul singer Jill Scott and legendary soul band Kool & The Gang have been announced as the headline acts for the 2015 Tobago Jazz Experience.
The revelation was made on Monday at the launch of the event at the Paprika Restaurant in St Clair, Port-of-Spain.
This year’s festival is themed Much More Than Music and will run from April 18 to 21.
Hudson will be the main performer on World Music Night while Scott and Kool & The Gang will bring down the curtain on the Beach Jazz Fiesta on the last night of the event.
THA Tourism and Transportation secretary Tracy Davidson-Celestine said the entire event is estimated to cost around $13 million. According to Davidson-Celestine, the figure is based on last year’s expenditure when they invested $3 million and received $10 million in revenue.
Tickets prices for the Tobago Jazz Experience will see a slight increase. Event co-ordinator John Arnold did not give a reason for the increase but he believes patrons will not be greatly affected by the changes. The Division is also reviewing the option of online ticketing to improve accessibility to patrons.
Last year, many of the earlier events were free while admission to the highly anticipated shows ranged from US$50 to US$150. He also revealed that the General and VIP sections will be divided vertically at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park. This will allow both sections the opportunity to be close to the main stage. Arnold said this was necessary to keep energy levels up at the event. A similar layout was used during the Plymouth Jazz Festival, the predecessor of the Tobago Jazz Experience.
The shuttle service that was heavily criticised for being inefficient in 2014, is also being reviewed. Arnold said the festival saw a 100 per cent growth in patrons in 2014 which caused some new challenges for the event.
Last year, the National Operating Centre assisted with the creation of traffic, security and evacuation plans for the Tobago Jazz Experience.
THA Tourism and Transportation marketing manager Avion Hercules, said one of the Jazz Experience events will be held at the new Shaw Park Cultural Complex. The multi-million dollar arts and cultural centre is expected to be opened soon. The Tobago Jazz Experience will be one of the first big cultural events to be held at the venue.
The THA estimates that around 60 per cent of the usual patrons of the Tobago Jazz Experience are locals. The division is hoping to increase international support for the 2015 edition. Hercules said they will continue to do press ads across various countries including the United States, Germany and Brazil. Greater emphasis will also be placed on social and online promotion of the event. Work is also being done alongside hoteliers to build competitive accommodation rates and packages.
Tickets for Tobago Jazz Experience are expected to go on sale from February 19.
Auditions for the Tobago Jazz Experience will be held on Sunday at the Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive School from 9 am to 6 pm.
Interested people can also audition online for a spot at this year’s festival.
Raina Alleyne
