Nov. 19, 2008 – More than 1,000 people found their way to the west end of the Big Island looking for the syncopated beat of jazz on Wednesday night. Judging from the smiles and the body movement on Fort Frederik Beach on opening night of the Blue Bay Jazz Fest, they found it.
"I'm very encouraged by the turnout tonight," said John Abramson, board president of Frederiksted Economic Development Association (FEDA), hosts of the festival. "I'm really looking forward to the next three nights – they are going to be great."
. "I'll be here every night," said local resident Mavis Gilchrist. "I'm really enjoying all of the wonderful music."
The festival in its second year was expanded this year from two days to four.
"We decided to expand this year with a bigger event," said Eugene "Doc" Petersen, FEDA director. "Our hope is the festival gets bigger every year. Plans are to start getting sponsors early, so we can do more next year."
The lawn was covered with people of all ages who came prepared with folding chairs and blankets. Numerous vendors were selling food, drinks, T-shirts, jewelry and local crafts set up across the street at a mini-village.
The theme for the second annual festival is "All That New York Jazz." with Latin jazz in the mix.
Petersen did the research, selection and booking of the performers said Stella Saunders, event coordinator for Frederiksted Economic Development Association (FEDA), hosts of the event.
"This year we are heavy in Latin Jazz which lends itself to the cultural mix of St. Croix," Saunders said.
Steve Simon and the Jazz Islanders kicked off the show right on time at 7:30 getting people into the mood with his fast and furious clarinet playing. Simon thrilled the crowd with his hour-long performance.
Vocalist Sherrie R. Bias, with a voice as smooth and sweet as honey, did the second performance. Her Southern roots were evident with a soulful gospel sound praising the Lord in a couple of numbers.
"I always praise the Lord in song," Bias told the Source.
With her hops swaying she danced slowly to a smoky beat. She had quite a presence on stage in a long white gown with a large white silk flower on her shoulder.
Headliner and last act for the evening was Rolando Bricen?o, a woodwind specialist who has played saxophone, flute and clarinet with such luminaries as Tito Puentes and Celia Cruz. It seemed as though he could go on forever playing the saxophone or clarinet, with a lot of high energy. Conga drums helped add to the fast Latin beat provided by his Afro Venezuelan Quintet.
"This is wonderful, we need more of this Latin flavor," said Leslie Matthias, member of the local band Rythmix.
Bricen?o and Bias both told The Source how much they love being on St. Crox.
"I love it here so much I would like to move here," Bricen?o said. "The people are beautiful and the island is beautiful."
"I've loved every minute here," said Bias. The people are warm and inviting and they evidently like good music."
Locals will get the chance to mingle with the musicians at luncheons from noon to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Caribbean Center for the Arts. For $20 one can dine and mingle with Tito Puente on Friday and Pete Escovedo on Saturday.
Tito Puente Jr. is headlining Friday and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra Saturday, the last full day of the festival.
The VI Rhythm Section, James "Blood" Ulmer and the Rashied Ali Quintet performed Thursday.
Friday's action kicks off at 8 p.m. with the VI Rhythm Section, Louis Taylor Quartet, Nathan Lucas Quartet and the Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra.
At 8 p.m. Saturday Rhythmix Band, Eddie Russell QLJ Band, Willie Martinez and Family, and the Pete Escovedo Orchestra will perform.
Virgin Islands jazz musicians will open each night, including The Eddie Russell Quelbe Latin Jazz Band, the V.I. Rhythm Section, Adjoa, Blackness, Hugh "Fuma" Petersen and others.
Sunday will be the big jam session with local artists and an open mike from 2 until 6 p.m. at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts. All musicians and singers are invited to participate.
This year there is a special package deal set up to help with fund raising. For a price based on the number of nights used residents can sit in the VIP tent with food, drinks as well as a good view of the show and special parking. Tickets are available at numerous outlets locally.
Saunders said the collaboration and in-kind services of manpower from the V.I. Police Department, the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation, Water and Power Authority and other agencies really helped FEDA put the venue together.
Major sponsors for the festival are Cruzan Rum, V.I. Department of Tourism, V.I. Council on the Arts and the West Indian Co., Ltd.
More information is available at www.frederiksted.org.
