05 June, 2014: Customers of Essential Hotel Collection visiting St Lucia this May may be interested in attending the 2014 St Lucia Jazz Festival, the second time the event will display its new and revamped look, debuted at last year’s edition.

The 2014 instalment of the festival, which started in late April and is ongoing until May 11, is headlined by names such as Maxwell, Dee Dee Bridgewater, the Commodores and Barrington Levy. Side by side with a wealth of local musical talent, these performers will seek to expound on last year’s performances, by such names as Akon, R. Kelly, Ginuwine and The Jacksons.

Once again set against the verdant, lush backdrop of the Caribbean, the festival will be complemented by a series of locally flavoured events, which serve the double purpose of entertaining the locals and giving outsiders a taste of authentic Creole life. Among the list of ‘side-activities’ usually on offer during the festival are tours of the island and gastronomic events, where visitors can sample true Creole food and cocktails, as well as the renowned Caribbean rum. Exploring the island’s lesser-known and more locally-famous venues, beaches and natural hotspots can also provide an interesting distraction for Essential Hotel Collection customers visiting St Lucia during May and attending the Jazz Festival.

The St. Lucia Jazz Festival has been ongoing since 1992, when it was devised as a way to extend the touristic appeal of the island past the peak season and into the month of May. In subsequent years, the event far outgrew its initial intent, becoming one of the top dates in jazz lovers’ calendars and acquiring a reputation — if not attendance numbers — similar to that of festivals like Glastonbury. The recent revamp is an attempt to connect with a younger audience and shed the ‘stuffy’, elitist image jazz music is usually associated with.

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Essential Hotel Collection are the official UK booking office for a handpicked selection of luxury, privately owned hotels in the Caribbean. Contact them at www.essentialhotelcollection.co.uk/

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