Original post on All at Sea.
There aren’t many things better than listening to live music with the sights and sounds of the surf in the background. The Caribbean is famous for its many music festivals, from those that feature high-profile productions with that attract international performance to popular regional artistes. Many venues are right on the beach! Here are the Top Caribbean Music Festivals in the Caribbean.
THE BAHAMAS – ELEUTHERA ALL THAT JAZZ FESTIVAL
Eleuthera… all that Jass is and annual jazz festival on Eleuthera in The Bahamas. It usually takes place over five days each March, in a variety of locations on the island. Typical venues are LeoRose Sunset Bar & Grill on James Cistern Beach and On the Rocks, held at a private home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and miles of pink sand beach. “Audiences are never more than 200 at a time, so there is plenty of opportunity to meet and chat with the musicians, who come from all over the world,” says organizer Patricia Leigh-Woods. Several events are within the Governor’s Harbour area where yachtsmen can anchor and drive in by dinghy. The Festival benefits the historic Haynes Library. eleutheraallthatjazz.com
JAMAICA – REGGAE SUMFEST
Sumfest has earned a reputation as the Caribbean’s premier music festival, showcasing Jamaica’s indigenous music, as well other popular global genres of music. Now in its 27th year, the world’s greatest Jamaican reggae/dancehall music festival continues to pay homage to the musical genres that originated in Jamaica that have broadly influenced the chart topping urban and pop music of today. Sumfest continues to add unprecedented value to “Brand Jamaica” by promoting three of the country’s most valuable products – the music, the culture, and the island itself as a global tourist. reggaesumfest.com
US VIRGIN ISLANDS – WATER ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Drop anchor off Honeymoon Bay or dinghy into Honeymoon Beach, Water Island, just off St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and head up to the house on the point. Each January, some of the best classically trained musicians in the world play piano, violin, other instruments and sing to pieces written by the masters such as Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. Since only 75 people can sit in the host family’s living room for each night’s performance, it’s important to make reservations early. Concerts are free but donations appreciated to help musicians pay for travel. www.water-island-music.com
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLAND – FOXY’S MUSIC FEST
Foxy’s Beach Bar on the British Virgin Island plays hosts annually to this event, usually held each March. The event features ‘Foxy’s Funky Friends’, an eclectic mix of local and international artists. Special guests in the past have included vocalist Mark Rivers and saxophonist Kebbi Williams, both members of the Grammy-award winning Blues band, Tedeschi Trucks Band. Talented local youth bands also participate. foxysbar.com
ST VINCENT & THE GRENADINES – BEQUIA MOUNT GAY MUSIC FEST
The sounds of blues, jazz, rock and more fill the air each January, when this St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ island hosts musicians from the Caribbean and beyond. The event is typically five days of live music on the island that rocks… The Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest has featured the likes of Dana Gillespie and the London Blues Band, Rodney Small Essence Band and Vincentian born Jamesy P. A perennial favourite is the Jazz’N’Blues Jam by the beach at the Bequia Beach Hotel. www.bequiamusicfestival.com
GRENADA – PURE GRENADA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Third World, one of the all-time reggae greats, has headlined at the Pure Grenada Music Festival, along with international performers such as Tarrus Riley and Queen Ifrica. “The festival aims to promote Grenada as a musical contender internationally by bringing in artistes who are not only popular, but also have a passion for live, untainted music and can deliver exceptional performances,” says festival coordinator Arlene Friday. The Festival Village is located on the green adjacent to Port Louis Marina. @grenadamusicfest
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – (TJE) TOBAGO JAZZ EXPERIENCE
On Tobago Jazz Experience, the jazz festival of Tobago, the artists play, mostly, jazz of the unique style of the Caribbean Islands, Trinidad and Tobago. The sea and beach surrounded Pigeon Point Heritage Park is just one of the venues for this weeklong musical happening that takes place each April. Local and international performers offer ‘much more than music’ as the event’s tagline says by incorporating history and culture into this experience. tobagojazzexperience
CURAÇAO BLUE SEAS FESTIVAL
The historic Pietermaai district in Willemstad, now known as the ‘SoHo’ of Curaçao due to its trendy neighborhoods located right on the water, is host to this annual festival. The next festival is schedule for Easter weekend of 2 and 3 April in 2021. The emphasis is on a resurgence in blues. Nearly a dozen international artists perform in two concerts. “Anyone can partake in the festival; there is no entrance fee,” invites organizer Jacqueline van Zuijlen. curacaoblueseasfestival.com
