The 2009 Barbados Jazz Festival Kicks off the Winter Season With Sultry Beats and Cool Vibes

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Top40 Charts/ Barbados Tourism Authority) - Joining the all-star lineup for the 16th Annual Barbados Jazz Festival is British folk singer and songwriter James Blunt, who will dazzle the crowds with his soulful ballads. In addition to Blunt, this year's event, running from January 12-18, 2009 will feature a wide range of both contemporary and classic jazz vocalists including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Harvey Mason, David Burnett, Angie Stone and the BCC Jazz Project, among others. Ticket prices start at $25 USD ($50 BDS) per person. Attendees can purchase a full season pass to all performances, (excluding The Crane dinner set), for $235 USD ($470 BDS). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.barbadosjazzfestival.com. For information on Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org.

The festival will be staged across some of Barbados' most picturesque and enchanting locations around the island, including: the Sunbury Plantation House; Heritage Park/The Rum Factory; Garfield Sobers Complex; and Farley Hill National Park. In addition, Errol Ince will headline a special dinner set at The Crane Resort & Residences on Thursday evening, January 15, 2009.

The 2009 schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, January 12th - 8 pm: Sunbury Plantation House, St. Philip - $40
Featuring Harvey Mason and Diana Jarrett

Tuesday, January 13th - 8 pm: Heritage Park/The Rum Factory, St. Philip - $25
Featuring David Burnett

Wednesday, January 14th - 8 pm: Garfield Sobers Complex, St. Michael - $75
Featuring James Blunt and Kite

Thursday, January 15th - 8 pm: Dinner Set at The Crane Resort & Residences, St. Philip - $100
Featuring Errol Ince

Friday, January 16th - 8 pm: Location TBD - $40
Featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater

Saturday, January 17th - 12 Noon: FarleyHillNational Park, St. Peter - $40
Featuring Angie Stone, Glenn Lewis and Nexcyx

Sunday, January 18th - 1 pm: FarleyHillNational Park, St. Peter - $40
Featuring Chrisette Michele, Hilario Duran and BCC Jazz Project