It will be a jazz adventure like none other when the Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari makes its third stop this year, this time in “the Spice Isle” — Grenada on 29 and 30 June.
The Grenada leg of this travelling festival that has been dubbed a “thrilling musical ride” follows on from successful shows in Barbados and Antigua for the inaugural Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari. The Grenada event which will take place on the exquisite lawns at Mount Cinnamon will feature energised live performances of quality international and regional jazz acts including two excellent Grenadian artistes.
The featured artistes are top international singer and Grammy Nominee – Shontelle; Sean Thomas with the legendary proponent of calypso jazz; Clive Zanda from Trinidad; Derek Mc Keith — guitarist and R&B singer from the United States, Jazz Group, C4 from Barbados; Grenada’s own Zack Bernard coming home from the United States where he has excelled on the jazz scene, and the sultry Jenny J with Quiet Fire.
The Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari is the brainchild of Tom Hinds, well-known promoter of jazz events at his scenic Naniki Restaurant in St. Joseph, Barbados. Hinds said that the safari concept was based on moving quality jazz performances to idyllic venues across the Caribbean, and thereby enhancing both the local cultural landscape and the tourism product. He noted that the Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari would allow local and regional artistes to perform with international counterparts at home and provide educational opportunities for local music students through a workshop and guitar donation that will take place in partnership with the Travelling Guitar Foundation.
Following a successful “take off “ in Barbados from 17 to 21 January with highly acclaimed performances, the unique travelling jazz festival thrilled music lovers in Antigua and Barbuda who turned out at the Lake Cultural Centre and the scenic Shirley Heights Lookout in March this year.
The unique series of events that make up the Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari had its international launch on 15 November 2012 at the chic Tryst Ultra Lounge in New York under the aegis of Hinds’ company, Damal Investments, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and the Tourist Boards of Barbados, Antigua, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The safari will continue on to St Vincent later this year.
The Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari — Grenada is sponsored by the Mount Cinnamon Resort, Flamboyant Hotel and Villas, Grenada Board of Tourism, United Insurance, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, US Embassy, LIAT, Caribbean Super Station, Sagicor, The Traveling Guitar Foundation, The Travel House, Presidente, Stoli, El Dorado Rum, Coca Cola, Etang, Campari, Klassic AM, Grant’s Scotch Whiskey and Nedd’s Rental & Services.