Tobago Jazz Festival is a Roaring Success

Last weekend’s Plymouth Jazz Festival in Tobago was attended by thousands of people from all over the world and has really put Tobago on the map as the music festival capital of the world. Attendance figures for Friday and Saturday hit 15,000 with over 20,000 people coming out to party on the Sunday.

The list of stars, appearing at the Plymouth Jazz Festival was simply dazzling including Diane Ross, Mary J. Bilge and Gladys Knight, all of whom drove the crowd crazy belting out their top hits that made them such musical icons.

Sunday night was the culmination of the three day event that saw all of the great and the good of the Caribbean, and indeed the world, in attendance. First up was Al Green who quickly had the audience in a mellow mood as he serenaded them with the likes of “Lets Stay Together” and “Love is a Beautiful Thing.” The Plymouth arena was transformed into a magical ballroom as couples danced to the Rev. Green’s romantic music, each song punctuated by an Amen.

As the atmosphere became more electric, Earth, Wind and Fire seemed to turn back time with renditions of their most popular songs including the perennial favorite “Could it be I’m Falling in Love,” which had the crowd in raptures.

Finally it was time for superstar performer, Elton John. As he took to the stage, a giant shooting star blazed across the moonlit Caribbean sky as if to signal his superstardom. Elton mesmerized the full capacity crowd with the full range of his repertoire including such iconic hits as “Rocket Man,” “Bennie and The Jets,” “Daniel,” “Your Song,” and “Candle in the Wind.”

Tobago is proud to be host to such an acclaimed musical event that reflects its rich musical heritage influenced by its multi cultural population.