From its inception in 1993 until the last show in 2010 The Barbados Jazz Festival was the ideal way to start off your New Year vacation in the sunny Caribbean. This festival, which took place in the cool mid January weather, was recognized around the world as the premier jazz festival not only in Barbados but of the Caribbean.
… And with world acclaim international jazz artist like Kenny G, George Benson, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Ray Charles, Luther Vandross, Roberta Flack and Erykah Badu, having headlined the various shows over the years you can see why.
But along with great artist, great jazz needs great venues and the Barbados Jazz Festival was fortunate to have been held in so many ideal, yet different venues. So let me take a look at three perfect but yet so different venues for the Barbados jazz Festival….
Farley Hill Park Was The Home to Barbados Jazz Festival Jazz on The Hill
My personal favourite among the venues that were used to host shows for the Barbados Jazz Festival is the historic Farley Hill National Park. Located in northern Barbados in close proximity to the Wildlife Reserve, Farley Hill is a wonderful venue for jazz… mainly because of the atmosphere created by the towering mature trees and the spectacular view over the rolling hills of St. Andrew.
There are picnic tables and a children’s play ground with swings and slides to add to the family feel of the park. During the period of the festival between 1993 and 2010 lots of people from all over the world attend this much anticipated segment of the festival.
They brought their drink coolers, food baskets and blankets to stretch out on the shaded slope or in the shadow of the majestic ruins of the old great house as they watch the show.
The Barbados Jazz Festival Was Held At Other Venues
The Crane Resort and Residence is the Caribbean’s oldest premier hotel having first opened its doors in 1887. This 120 year hotel which have a naturally spectacular landscape form to the back drop of sparkling, clear waters also hosted the Barbados Jazz Festival.
World class amenities set in lush tropical gardens include gourmet restaurants like the Zen and L’Azure which are both rated by Zagat in the top twenty of all Barbados restaurants.
It is this luxurious and spectacular setting back by centuries of tradition that has made the world-famous Crane hotel the ideal backdrop for the dinner set of the Barbados Jazz Festival before it was ended.
The historic Sunbury House is a 300-year-old plantation house located in southern Barbados. This sugar plantation great house has long been recognized as an ideal venue for weddings and other special functions like the Barbados Jazz Festival.
We love this venue. The spacious wooded grounds are extensively landscape with lush tropical plant varieties. Sunbury also features an impressive collection of antiques, which includes china, silver, old carts and old prints of an era long past.
It is this fascinating and historic setting that made Sunbury Plantation House the ideal backdrop for the Barbados Jazz festival.
Learn more about Sunbury Plantation House
The Barbados Jazz Festival was Last held in 2010
Unfortunately the producers of the Barbados Jazz Festival no longer put on this spectacular event it was last held in 2010. Like you we look forward to the day when this amazing event would be part of the Barbados entertainment calendar again.