Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/6328/-1/140/
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JAZZ KICKS OFF TOURIST SEASON More Local Performers Join Visiting Artistes
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Unlike some of the previous events, Anguilla’s 6th Annual Tranquility Jazz Festival, was basically uninterrupted by inclement weather conditions that usually result in rain showers early in November when the musical function gets underway. Thus, with no rain to worry about, the November 6-9 festival, under the regular theme “Straight Jazz No Chaser”, went very well at the locations at which the events were held.
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Lennox Vanterpool leading ALHCS Orchestra in Jazz Music at NBA’s Parking Lot Photo courtesy Ivor Hodge
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The annual jazz festival, an undertaking by the Anguilla Tourist Board and B.E.T., supported by the Government and various private sector sponsors, with the National Bank being the Premium Gold Sponsor, is aimed at jump-starting the island’s tourist season. It has not only has succeeded in attracting the attention and involvement of a number of tourists, but has also wooed the growing interest and participation of local musicians and members of the public.
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Jazz crowd at NBA’s Parkway
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Other sponsors in Anguilla were the Anguilla Social Security Board (Gold Sponsor), Temenos Anguilla (Silver Sponsor) and Support Sponsors Tropical Shipping/Haskins Limited; Avis/Apex, Digicel, Cuisinart Resort & Spa (the main sponsoring hotel) Paradise Cove Resort, Ocean Terrace Condors, American Airlines/American Eagle, American Express and B.E.T (Black Entertainment Television), the production company.
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Concepts Trio at Sandy Ground Jazz
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The official jazz performances were video-taped as customary by B.E.T. personnel for later televising into the homes of millions of viewers across the United States from where the majority of tourists travel to Anguilla.
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Sprocka at NBA’s Jazz
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The Tranquility Jazz Festival began on Thursday, November 6, with guest artiste Patti Austin along with two of Anguilla’s young and talented musicians Jelani Banks and Roxanne Webster, both students at Morlen’s School of Music. The performances were at a special pre-jazz dinner at CuisinArt Resort & Spa.
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Mr. Victor Banks
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The National Bank of Anguilla captured a large crowd of visitors, members of the public and school children, with its own “Jazz on the Parkway” performances on Friday afternoon, November 7. The event, which included one of the popular lunch menus, had such entertainers as Sproka (Corrine Richardson), Shyrone & Asher, the Young Lions Jazz Group, Keith Gumbs and the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Band ably directed by Lennox Vanterpool.
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Amelia Vanterpool Kubisch
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That night, (Friday, November 7), was one of the main official jazz performances at which many guests were entertained during an evening of Latin and contemporary jazz at the Temenos Golf Club, a splendid and picturesque venue on the island’s south-west coast. The performers were visiting artistes Arturo Sandoval and Christian Scott, the Anguilla Jazz Ensemble and, appearing for the first time at the festival was Concept Trio, a local group which recently represented Anguilla at Carifesta X 2008 in Guyana.
On Saturday, November 8, the Jazz Festival also held at Temenos Anguilla, involved Dee Dee Bridgewater, Michel Camilo and Dean Fraser with a blend of Latin sounds from Santo Domingo.
The venue for the Tranquility Jazz Festival Finale was Road Bay, Sandy Ground, on Sunday, November 9, featuring Dean Fraser and Christian Scott, preceded by two local bands, Concepts Trio and Young Lions. The fairly large and appreciative crowd of visitors and locals were already set in an enjoyable mood by Johnno’s resident jazz combo over the luncheon period.
Writing in the Jazz Festival’s Commemorative Magazine, Anguilla’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Victor Banks, stated in part: “We believe that we are on the road to making the Anguilla Jazz Festival the premiere jazz event in the Caribbean for jazz lovers who want to experience the richest and purest elements of the art form. Anguilla as a destination which caters for clientele with the most discriminating tastes is the ideal venue for delivering such an experience. And last year at our new venue, the Temenos Golf Course and Resort, the experience was further enhanced by the great ambiance which that setting provided.
“This year we expect our repeat clientele as well as the first time clientele which our reputation and promotion have lured to our festival will not be disappointed. It promises to be a great celebration and feast put on by outstanding artistes who have distinguished themselves as being amply qualified to feature on the Tranquility Jazz Festival Stage.”
Director of Tourism, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch noted: “As in previous years, we have an outstanding mix of legendary artistes and performers – international and local – who are highly respected and continue to capture the attention of their audiences.”
She was grateful for the support of the many sponsors of the Anguilla Tranquility Jazz Festival.