Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine April 2017 | Page 328

April 7 & 8, 2017
Typically when talk is of the "blues" in the
Caribbean, we're talking about the bright blue
skies and various shades of turquoise and azure of
the gorgeous sea. But every April, the blues takes
on a very different meaning on the island of Nevis
as a host of internationally known blues artists
make their way to Oualie Beach for a two-night
festival of incredible blues music.
Soul blues funkster AJ Ghent (US), multi-
instrumentalist Deanna Bogart (US), and boogey-
woogey pianist Ben Waters (UK) are among the
artists who will be playing at the Nevis Music
Festival, Friday and Saturday, April 7 & 8, 2017.
They will be joined by several performers who are
back by popular demand, including Nevis' own
blues to gospel diva, Denise Gordon, Britain's most
award-decorated bluesman, Ian Siegel, and uber
blues-rock guitarist Simon McBride.
Entering its third year, the Nevis Blues Festival,
dubbed "Blues in Paradise," has garnered a string
of accolades and a firm place on the calendar of
Caribbean music festivals. Its location alongside
Oualie Beach on the island's Caribbean coastline
ranks it among the world's most exotic and
romantic blues festivals and one not to be missed.
Staged at night, the festival is able to
accommodate 1,000 people, a deliberate move
by the organizers to keep a relaxed intimacy that
allows all ages to enjoy the bars, catering and
world-class music in a stellar environment.
Tickets are priced at US $45 per day and are
available at the festival website:
www.nevisbluesfestival.com.
Submitted by Pierre Borg