St. Croix offers plenty of music on island, but the USVI Caribbean Music Festival could be one of the best events happening this year!
USVI Caribbean Music Festival Details
Curated by the United Jazz Foundation in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, USVI Department of Tourism and Department of Festivals, the free concert series premieres for the first time on the island of St. Croix. Not many local governments put on free shows, let alone offer 3 months of free music.
If you’ve missed the first set, don’t worry! You still have two more dates to catch more outdoor shows. Future dates include March 25th and May 27th.
Bring your chairs or blankets and come sit in the Frederiksted Promenade to catch multiple acts each night! Running from 6:30pm-11:30pm, there are plenty of food and drink vendors to entertain the crowds. Or, take a chance at local restaurants on Strand St. to have a hearty meal in between sets.
March 25 Performers
The upcoming March 25th date includes Afro-Cuban jazz headliner Chucho Valdes, VI Jazz Collective with band director Dion Parson and special guest American saxophonist Joe Lavano. The event closes with the Grammy award winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra featuring Gabrielle Cavassa.
May 27 Performers
The May 27th date will have American Jazz trumpet player Jon Faddis, Caribbean Music Institute Orchestra with special guests American songwriter Rene Marie, trumpeter Lee Hogans and Atlanta-based Good Time Brass and opening act Steel Pan Special under the direction of St. John native Victor Provost.
February 17 Performers
I was lucky enough to catch all 3 acts on February 17th! I wasn’t sure I was going to stay for the entire show. However, the energy and quality kept me out all night. Performers included local artists Marsvyn David’s Caribbean Jazz Players, featuring the vocals of Tony Romano, Rivert Diaz, and Emogen “Blakness” Creese. They also featured New Orleans based Calvin Johnson & Native Son, not to mention the headliner, Grammy award winning artist Dianne Reeves. And what a privilege to hear!
There were so many people present at the event. They had cocktail tables where I mingled with fresh faces. The governor was even wandering around, greeting and taking pictures with locals. It was such a melange of people integrated together because of the music, food and good times. Everyone was dancing in the street, grooving to the eclectic beats. The entire area was encompassed with people kicked back and having fun.
Dianne Reeves
It’s not very often that Grammy award winning artists will fly to the Caribbean for a free show. However, Dianne Reeves did just that. I never anticipated that this the of talent would be present at the festival! Her energy is enchanting. Dianne Reeves brought her entire band from the states and they lit up the stage. She opened with Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and transformed through different genres of music. No matter what she sang, she enamored the audience and kept everyone’s eyes glued on her.
Marsvyn David’s Caribbean Jazz Players
The festival opened with Marsvyn David’s Caribbean Jazz Players. The band also brought out Rivert Diaz to serenade the crowd. Diaz was a member of the Cuban national opera house before relocating to St. Croix. Now a local, he had a beautiful song titled “En La VI” that is dedicated to the people and culture of the Virgin Islands.
Additionally, they highlighted Emogen “Blakness” Creese, who was outstanding. The twice St. Croix Calypso Monarch winner can not only perform reggae, but she’s got some powerful singing pipes on her as well. She even mingled in the crowd afterwards. I was able to stop her and tell her what a phenomenal performance she put on!
Calvin Johnson & Native Son
Finishing the night was Calvin Johnson & Native son. The band brought out a young tap dancer who kept up with the fast rhythm of the jazz. It was very fun to watch. Johnson swapped between saxophone to vocals, and even though the group seemed young, they kept the crowd entertained till the very end.
USVI Caribbean Music Festival Review
I loved that the festival featured local and international artists. The blend of different music genres pleased the diverse crowd of people attending. Adults, seniors, and children united together and danced the night away. The people of St. Croix can really get down. I met a woman who travels the US in her van, and just arrived to St. Croix after spending two months in Portugal and Puerto Rico. We agreed it was one of the best free concerts we have ever attended.
The food proved to be outstanding as well. In an effort to try more local cuisine, I had marinated tofu with vegetables, rice, and lentils. Just remember to bring cash! One thing I have learned is most mobile food stands here don’t have means for electronic payment.
St. Croix has a lot to offer, but this music festival takes the cake. Mark your calendars and don’t miss your next two opportunities to see Grammy nominated artists delight your ears and entertain you all night.