Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival Reveals 2026 Lineup | News

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Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival Reveals 2026 Lineup | News

The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival has officially announced its 2026 lineup of R&B icons Brandy and Monica as headliners.

Now in its 34th year, the event is one of the Caribbean’s most successful cultural festivals and continues to attract visitors from all over the world. Walking from April 30 to May 10the island is transformed into a vibrant hub of music, art and cultural experiences in local communities. The main stage line-up at Pigeon Island National Landmark and Rodney Bay features a mix of music; gospel, Caribbean, jazz, R&B and pop.

Highlights include:
• R&B icons Brandy and Monica
• Global pop star Tams
•Grammy Award-winning British R&B singer Ella Mai
• The original lamentations of Al Anderson And Skip Marley
• British queen of soul Beverly Knight
•Grammy legend Billy Ocean

“This festival is a powerful expression of our identity, a platform through which we share our souls with the world, a celebration that preserves our heritage as we tell our stories, project our identities and differentiate Saint Lucia on the world stage,” said Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister of Tourism, Trade, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage.

The full line-up:
• Opening Night (April 30): A powerful mix of Caribbean and international sounds featuring Capleton, Valiant, Asa Bantan, D’YANI, Shervon Sealy, LM Stone and American country artist Amber Digby.

Capleton

• Pure Jazz – Ladies in Concert (May 5): An elegant celebration of jazz artistry featuring internationally acclaimed Esperanza Spalding, Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne, and Saint Lucian talents Camille Charlemagne and Leandra Modeste.

Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne

• Kingdom Night (May 6): An uplifting evening of praise and worship featuring Grammy-nominated American gospel singer and songwriter Tye Tribbett, Ada Ehi, Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers, Nigela St. Clair-Daniel and Saint Lucian gospel all-stars.

Tye Tribbett

• Pure Jazz – Elements of the Arts (May 7): World-class jazz meets creative expression with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Jesse Billy, and a special arts production from the Cultural Development Foundation.

Branford Marsalis Kwartet<br />
” height=”1200″ width=”800″ style=”border: 0;”><span class= Branford Marsalis Quartet

• Caribbean Fusion (May 8): An energetic showcase of regional brilliance featuring Kes the Band, The Original Wailers with Al Anderson and Skip Marley, Dexta Daps and the Saint Lucian Mélange led by reigning Groovy Soca King Imran Nerdy.

The original Wailer ft. Al Anderson and Skip Marley

• World Beats (May 9): A genre-blending evening under the stars with Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer-songwriter, known for her soulful voice and genre-blending sound that combines Afrobeats, R&B and global pop star Tems and Grammy Award-winning British R&B singer-songwriter, acclaimed for her smooth vocals, timeless sound and chart-topping hits Ella Mai. The stage will be shared by the dynamic French-Caribbean artist from Martinique X-Man, Lu City, Princess Lover, Les Aiglons de Guadeloupe and October 4.

Tams

• The Ultimate Celebration (May 10 finale): A grand final evening with Mervin Wilkinson and Friends plus Beverley Knight, the celebrated British soul icon whose powerful, expressive voice and decades-long career have earned her multiple MOBO Awards. Festivalgoers can get ready to sing along to the Grammy Award-winning hitmaker whose feel-good classics make him the perfect soundtrack for the closing night, the legendary Billy Ocean. Fresh off their ‘The Boy is Mine’ tour and closing out the evening are Brandy and Monica.

Billy Ocean