Omega Element entertained the early bird jazz fest crowd on Thursday. - Photo by Sheena Gayle
WESTERN BUREAU: THURSDAY'S OPENING night of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival attracted substantially more patrons than the previous year and TurnKey Production's Walter Elmore estimates that Friday night's event may have been bigger than 2009's.
The new venue, the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium not only exceeded several persons expectations, but the organisers say they saved some eight to $10 million on pre-construction by moving the event to the historically rich parish.
Initially nervous about the kind of response the change would have resulted in, Elmore said: "Last year on the Thursday we had some 4,000 people at the Aqueduct and approximately six to seven thousand on the Friday, but these first two nights look bigger".
affordable
He says he is now convinced that he can go out and get a superstar to perform on the festival in the future at the multi-purpose stadium that has the capacity to accommodate some 17,000 people, "Because we can afford to bring a big star and keep ticket prices in line".
"We saved six weeks of production, put less money into the stadium, because we didn't have to build dressing rooms, bathrooms, or put in plumbing or power."
What Elmore has termed a very pretty venue, houses a number of sky boxes, A VIP food area, food court and talent stage located on the grassland, while the popular Jamaica Tourist Board tourism village was located on a balcony setting overlooking the field.
"The field is over 300,000 square feet, what we had before was 260, 000," Elmore told The Sunday Gleaner.
In the meantime, there has been mixed reactions from jazz patrons about the organisers' decision to host the premier entertainment event at the Trelawny stadium.
While the main area - the playing field - is without the usual bonfires and the ocean in the backdrop, however, many have lauded the initiative to use the new venue.
"It is more spacious and convenient. The layout, from parking to the booths, food court and stage areas is great. It's hassle-free," commented Ann Smith, who has been supporting the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival since its inception 17 years ago.
more fun
For Jamaican-born Cher Wilson, who lives in Alaska, the change results in even more fun for her.
"I love it! I'm having fun and I've been coming back for events from the days of Reggae Sunsplash till now," she said.
But for her friend, who asked not to be named, the change of venue from The Aqueduct in Montego Bay has resulted in the loss of some of the festival's ambiance.
feels good
"It feels like (Reggae) Sumfest to me, there's no distinction anymore in my mind'" she told The Gleaner. "I'm sorry, but it (venue change) hasn't grown on me yet. I appreciate what is being done to expose the facility here, because it is underused, but the event doesn't feel the same way to me."
Others comment the small stage used for upcoming bands needs to be closer to the centre of the field and the sponsor tents much closer to each other, "The food court and other booths need to be relocated to where the Tourism Village is now located," suggested Roger Williams, an event planner.