A Springtime Jazz Soundtrack to St Lucia Honeymoons

When it comes to considering the best things about flying off on St Lucia honeymoons, most people will think of the azure Caribbean Sea, the laid back local culture, the mouth-watering cuisine, and the stunning landscape. The island is an idyllic spot for those enjoying the start of their new lives together, but that doesn’t mean that they will want to spend their entire time in the Caribbean chained to their resort! It’s not just a holiday paradise – the island is a vibrant modern country and the locals like to enjoy themselves throughout the year. This means plenty of festivals for romantic couples to indulge in during St Lucia honeymoons. One of the first of the year, and the one just about to kick off, is the island’s well-respected Jazz Festival. Saint Lucia Jazz The Jazz Festival has grown since its inauguration to become one of the top spring highlights. This year’s edition will be the 21st instalment of the event and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. The festival was originally conceived as a marketing strategy to drum up interest in the island during the fallow spring months, but the choice of music and the vibrant atmosphere created a runaway success that is still going strong two decades on. Indeed, it has grown to become the perfect entertainment for those on St Lucia honeymoons during late spring. The 2012 Edition The Festival’s 21st birthday is just about to kick off, so if you’re bolting for the Caribbean just after your big day and you’ll be staying on the island between April 30th and May 13th then you’ll be able to join in the birthday celebrations. Lionel Richie has been announced as this year’s big headliner and, while he might not be considered jazz by aficionados, there will be plenty of other performers to sate their need for the genre. Other treats for those indulging while on their St Lucia honeymoons include a wide range of local, regional and international stars performing many different kinds of music. The American jazz saxophonist and composer Joshua Redman brings high-end jazz to the festival, and the French rumba flamenca band the Gypsy Kings are also on the bill, alongside Ziggy Marley, the eldest son of Bob Marley. Other performers include the South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist and composer Hugh Masekela. Local talent includes Luther Francois, Richard Payne, Teddyson John, Derek Yarde and Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson. Other performers from nearby include the Trinidadian soca stars Fay Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin.