From its inception, the St. Lucia Jazz Festival line-up has always included local artistes on the programme. St. Lucian performers are as much part of the festival, as well…as Jazz on the Square! More than just a venue, the Derek Walcott Square, in the heart of town, adds local flavour and spice to the Festival; in much the same way, local artistes add vibe and essence to the line-up.

Far from being a token pacifier, the inclusion of local artistes is simply recognition of the immense local talent, which ranges from international hit-makers, new recording artistes, and debut performers. Over the years this has been well-recognized by jazz enthusiasts who have shown due respect and appreciation for local artistes.

This year’s line-up upholds the standard set in previous years, with some famous names, some names only known on the jazz scene and some just making their mark. But whether you have heard the name for years or have no idea who they are, all these artistes will wow audiences as they shine at the 2001 St. Lucia Jazz Festival.

RONALD “BOO” HINKSON

As a musician, producer, arranger, composer, performer, Ronald “Boo” Hinkson has been making sweet music in his homeland, St. Lucia for more than three decades. His mother, a guitar player, introduced him to the instrument, which has brought him much acclaim throughout the Caribbean.

In the 1960s Hinkson formed the hugely popular “Tru Tones” with his brothers and some friends. The group recorded a total of five albums, the first in the 70's, and six singles including “Burning Eyes, Hungry Belly” and a remake of Hot Chocolates’ “Sexy Thing.”

The group broke up but Hinkson continued performing as a solo artist. In the process he set up his own session bands and began leaning towards Jazz music. His first solo CD, Alive and Well, released in 1995, contained a blend of Jazz with a Caribbean and R&B twist. He recently released a Calypso album featuring both Trinidadian and St. Lucian artists. He has written songs, Reggae, Calypso, Soca, R&B and Blues, for both himself and others. Many of these have topped local charts, and one of his reggae songs even made it onto the British Reggae charts in 1998.

CARL GUSTAVE

Carl Gustave is a soulful singer, songwriter and guitarist, with his roots planted in Blues R&B, and Funk music. His style incorporates Jazz, Reggae and Rock. Of St. Lucian heritage, Gustave grew up in Los Angeles, where he began performing professionally after high school with various bands including his own; meeting and performing with many established musicians and producers.

Since moving to St. Lucia in February 1998, he has performed with musicians such as Boo Hinkson, Luther Francois, Emerson Nurse and Barbara Cadet. His guitar stylings grace recordings of local bands Revolution and Kronic Heights.

He performed to rave reviews during St. Lucia’s 1998, 1999 and 2000 Jazz Festivals. He was joined in one of his live sessions by Adam Cruise, Venton Charles and Avi Chi Choen from Chick Chorea’s band. The live recording is included on the Gustave’s CD “Too Hard”, released on his Gustunes label last year. Gustave is currently recording a new CD.

EMERSON NURSE

Emerson Nurse and Rupert Lay have worked together on previous occasions in both Jazz and other forms of music. The Quintet also hopes to feature vocalist Lorna Bruno whose vocal stylings are always fresh and original.

Emerson’s musical background took a turn when besides playing the music of his Caribbean Roots, he realised that Jazz music provided a more universal approach to defining music improvisation, and so countless hours were spent listening to everything from Dizzy to Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charles Mingues and a host of other great musicians. Emerson provided accompaniment for Andy Narrel, Bobby Watson, Luther Francois, who continues to work with Emerson from time to time and Boo Hinkson.

Currently, Emerson is putting the finishing touches on his second CD recording of original compositions, which will be available during the Jazz Festival.

DISTURBING JOAN

Keeping a band together is a challenge, doing it in St. Lucia, well that’s another story.

In a land where Soca is King, no one asks if you play Calypso, it is an assumed cultural norm. Disturbing Joan was never very good at conforming to standards. Indeed as bands go, Disturbing Joan is anything but conventional. If you’ve never heard of them don’t worry, any band that plays funk, rock and reggae exclusively in St. Lucia is not going to have a huge following. So what exactly are they doing on the Square for Jazz? Well it’s a funny thing but although the band only plays out a few times a year the performance is not easily forgotten and their music has an infectious way of getting people to dance, exactly why is a bit of a mystery, even to the band members.

The band is currently working on a CD due to be released later this year. As a promo for Jazz at least 2 Singles from the album will be released before Jazz. Disturbing Joan is now in its 7^th year together and from all accounts the oddball musical recipe conceived from inception seems to have worked. “Disturbing Joan was always about leaving the egos behind and putting the music first,” says lead guitarist Nick Devaux. “As long as we can keep those principles, we are happy to play for anyone wanting a bit of alternative music.”

OVID ALEXIS

Ovid Alexis was born on October 28, 1959 in Port of Spain. Both parents were musically inclined and from the age of three he was experimenting with sound. By the age of five he started playing on the piano songs from “Sound of Music” and the popular calypso “Archie”, relying on sound rather than musical notes.

At thirteen, he sat his Grade 3 music exams and passed with Honours. A year after doing his Grade 3 exams, he did his Grade 7 exams and passed. In 1982 he entered into Berklee College of Music in Boston and completed his degree programme  by May 1984, receiving a performance award. He returned to Trinidad and started his own music school in 1985. He entered music composition competitions for steel bands and won every time.

Ovid has played at a number of Festivals such as Trinidad Pan Jazz and the 1986 Barbados Jazz Festival, where his performance with De Kaiso Jazz Ensemble was the festival highlight. He has also played in festivals in San Andres, Colombia, and Missouri.

In 1990 he joined the teaching staff of the St. Lucia School of Music and has taught at the University of the West Indies. Ovid has performed with Autro Sandival, Dizzy Gillespie Tania Maria, George Benson, Ellis Marsalis to name a few.  He plays the piano, saxophone and steel pan.

SOJOURN

SOJOURN is pushing the envelope of popular Caribbean music with an infusion of varying jazz textures and unusual rhythmic combinations. The band had a highly successful debut performance at the 2000 St. Lucia Jazz Festival.

Its subsequent writing/arranging hiatus, is expected to end with the 2001 release of its debut CD Blue Mango written and arranged by core members Payne, John and Green. Exotic, earthy and daring, it blends calypso, Zouk, Reggae, High Life and Latin Jazz with traditional and smooth Jazz and R&B while retaining its Caribbean roots.

The band members, Richard Payne (Piano/Keyboards), Iain Green (Drums), Zack Popo (Electric Guitar), brothers Francis John (Bass Guitar) and Teddyson John (Vocals/percussion), continue to focus on their writing while they plan for the future. And so, the journey continues.

SISTERHOOD

Conceptualised from an urge by the SLTB to showcase St. Lucia female talent for its Jazz Festival, the vision was realized by versatile musician/composer Ms. Barbara Cadet, who brought together some of the top female musical talent on the island.

The talented and exotic combination called Sisterhood stunned the public at their 1999 Jazz Festival debut. This collaboration of female voices range from soprano to alto and the group has a wealth of instrumental talent. Sisterhood’s musical repertoire encompasses a variety of musical styles, from jazz to calypso.

There is also a strong spiritual influence in the music of the group, which can be felt in their performances. Sisterhood is, above all, a celebration of woman through music.