JAZZ & BLUES 2021

Message from the
MINISTER OF
CULTURE, GENDER,
ENTERTAINMENT
and SPORT
The covid-19 pandemic has dealt a blow to industries
worldwide and among the hardest hit are our cultural
and creative practitioners. As many of them take to the
virtual airwaves to maintain relevance and visibility to fans
worldwide, the return of a Virtual Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival
is welcome.
As Minister of Culture, I am pleased at the opportunities being provided
our industry practitioners by the festival which has always been an
important driver of Jamaica’s music, culture, entertainment and
tourism.
Despite the virtual format, the festival maintains its signature
“small stage” tradition to unearth and showcase new Jamaican
talent with a Band Quest Competition. The festival will also
incorporate the popular art and craft marketplace with an
Artisan Village featuring authentic Jamaican wooden items,
jewellery and ceramics.
Although Jamaica Jazz and Blues looks and feels a little
different, being staged virtually for the first time, we
anticipate a full face to face return in coming years. I
commend foundation members of the team, Steady
Image and Touchstone Productions, as they bring
back the magic from March 4 - 6, 2021, close on
the heels of Reggae Month 2021 which wraps this
February, spearheaded by my Ministry.
The Government, through the Ministry
of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and
Sport; the Ministry of Local Government
and Rural Development and the Ministry
of Health and Wellness, with the input of
industry stakeholders continues to work
on protocols for the safe reopening of
the wider entertainment sector.
Congratulations to the organisers and
partners on bringing back the festival. We
look forward to the usual dynamism of local
and international performances backed by
the top class production for which the festival
has become known.
HON. OLIVIA GRANGE, CD, MP
9