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Featuring;

Boukman Experyans (Haiti)
L'Addicion
Desagreable
Sisterhood

@ Fond D'Or Nature & Heritage Park
St. Lucia Jazz Festival
2 May 2009

Last year, Fond D’Or Jazz was billed as ‘The Opening’ of the St. Lucia Jazz Festival. However, this year such an accolade was reserved for ‘Jazz at Soufriere’. Unseasonal downpours caused islanders and visitors to run for cover in the days leading up to Fond D’ Or Jazz and it was obvious upon my arrival at this usually bustling venue that rain was still on everybody’s mind. Attendance was low. The venue ticket price was also advertised as ‘TBA’, surely not a great marketing decision in such lean times?

Unfortunately Mother Nature had not quite finished her natural washing. The rain returned at the start of Sisterhood’s performance, but it clearly did not dampen their spirits. This local singing quintet (sometimes quartet and occasionally trio) continued their lively soul / calypso set giving no less than 100%. At this point, patrons still clung to umbrellas, or gathered quietly under trees waiting for a break in the clouds. It took some time for the break to arrive, but Sisterhood were now close to the end of their set. The quality of musicianship did not match the potential mood for some time afterwards. By the time Haiti’s Boukman Experyans hit the stage, many patrons had seen enough and began to make their way home. The few who remained did join Bookman Experyans on their thought provoking mystical reggae journey.

Report by Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.