Jazz Jamaica for Rhythms of the World Festival

The headline acts for this year's Rhythms of the World Festival have been announced.

On the main stage, the 2002 BBC Jazz Band of the Year, Jazz Jamaica will play Saturday, July 4 at the Hitchin Priory, London venue.

In 1991, inspired by the rhythms of traditional Jamaican music and largely improvisational nature of jazz, original Jazz Warrior, and veteran jazz double bassist, Gary Crosby turned a musical concept into a joyful reality. Crosbys concept was to create a quintessential fusion of mento, ska, reggae and jazz, playing classic and modern jazz standards alongside Jamaican folksongs. The result was Jazz Jamaica.

Crosby developed the Jazz Jamaica concept by introducing a stream of talented young jazz musicians, so increasing the size of the pool of Jazz Jamaicans, and enabling him to push the boundaries of the music played. Collectively, Crosby and his musicians represent the finest exponents of this unique musical fusion known as skazz, a fusion loved and appreciated by everyone, of all ages and colours around the globe.

In 2002, Jazz Jamaica All Stars were winners of the BBC Radio Jazz Award for Best Band.

The multicultural, world class line-up of Jazz Jamaica, which embraces the legacy of the Motown label, is led by Gary Crosby and boasts an all-star lineup including leading hornsmen Denys Baptiste (tenor sax), Soweto Kinch (alto sax), Abram Wilson (trumpet/vocals), Harry Brown (trombone); the rocking rhythm section comprises Gary Crosby (double bass), Alex Wilson (piano/keys), Robin Banerjee (guitar), Oreste Noda (percussion), Rod Youngs (drums); and featuring the powerful, soulful vocals of Juliet Roberts, and rising star vocalists Zara Macfarlane and Wesley Lucas.

"This year's festival will continue the tradition of bringing musical diversity from the local community as well as introduces music and artists from around the world", says performance director Steve Smither.

Musicians from United States, Madagascar and Niger will perform on the July 4 and 5 festival.