Singer Sanchez Among For Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues’ ‘Art Of Reggae’ – January 25 –27, 2007

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, N.Y Dec. 27, 2006: Famed crooner Sanchez will be joining fellow reggae legends Freddie McGregor, Wayne Wonder and Billboard topping Dancehall deejay Shaggy for a special performance at the ‘Art of Reggae’ night at the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues fest in January.

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of one of the Caribbean’s premiere Jazz festivals, and one of Jamaica’s largest musical attractions, the upcoming festival from January 25 –27, 2007, will honor the legacy of the island’s native drum and bass sound, as well as some of its premiere musicians.

“I am so honored that they considered me to be part of this special (night),” stated an excited Sanchez, who is set for the Friday, January 26th show. “For so long, I have always wanted to be part of the Jazz & Blues Fest.”

For over twenty-years, Sanchez has moved masses of fans around the world with a voice described as “a supernatural gift from God that can out sing any Nightingale.” Beginning with 1988’s ‘Loneliness,’ the award-winning singer has delivered a slew of chart- topping hits including, ‘Missing You,’ ‘If I Ever Fall In Love Again,’ ‘Amazing Grace,’ and ‘Frenzy.’ His music has been embraced in particular by the American R&B and Hip Hop audiences with rap group Dipset sampling his “One In A Million” on their 2003 song “Dipset Anthem.”

“The guidance of God Almighty and the love of the music and the fans is what always drives me to make good music,” explains Sanchez of his overwhelming success. In terms of his crossover appeal, he offers that he “always keeps it easy to understand and fit for airplay.”Preparing to release a new album in early 2007, a mixture of his signature lover’s rock Reggae, Gospel, and Dancehall complete with collaborations from several mainstream Hip Hop artists, Sanchez says that fans at the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Fest can expect nothing less than the best.

“I always put my all into every performance, but since this will be my first time performing at the Jazz festival, especially in this special tribute to our music, the fans can expect nothing less than the best from Sanchez,” he added.

Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is a TurnKey Productions event that has been running continuously for since October 1996 on the lawns of the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay. Swelling from 3,000 to 40,000 patrons, this year it moves to a new venue – the Aqueduct on Rose Hall main road, near the Rose Hall Resort & Country Club, and features Soul crooner Michael Bolton, Country superstar Kenny Rogers, Christopher Cross, jazz instrumentalist Roy Ayers, trumpet virtuoso Chuck Mangione, Pieces of a Dream, ABBA-The Tribute, Blues Icon The Robert Cray Band, world renown Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander, the legendary Russell Tompkins Jr., and The New Stylistics, neo- soul icon Anthony Hamilton, legendary soul group Air Supply, as well as “the Art of Reggae” featuring reggae/dancehall all-stars Apollo Lifetime Achievement winner Freddie McGregor, dancehall ‘cool ruler’ Wayne Wonder, crooner Sanchez and mega DJ Shaggy.

A lucky fan will be given a chance to see Sanchez and the stars at the Festival in Jamaica for free once they enter the 2007 airline, hotel and three-day pass giveaway at http://www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com/ and follow the contest link. The winner will be announced following an official drawing on January 12, 2006.

Jazz Fest organizers also are reminding U.S. travelers to all secure their U.S. passport or certify that the passport of their foreign country is valid before traveling to the festival next year. The call comes as the countdown to the US’ Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative or ‘passport rule,’ begins ahead of the extended January 23, 2007 deadline, which will require all air travelers to present a passport to re- enter the United States. U.S. passports may be obtained through the U.S. Postal Service while Caribbean and other greencard holder can obtain passports from their local consulates. U.S. passport fee are US$67 plus an execution fee of $30 and a photo fee of $15 Fees for children under age 16 are $52 plus the additional photo and execution fees.

Sponsors of the 2007 festival include Air Jamaica, The Jamaica Tourist Board, American Express, Digicel, Caribbean Producers and Ocean Spray. For JazzFest vacation packages call Air Jamaica Vacations at 1- 800-LOVEBIRD or for more information, log on to: www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com