New York -- Jan. 16, 2009-- In less than a week, the Caribbean`s best music festival will take over the sunshine soaked resort area of Montego Bay, adding to the heat and the enthusiasm that is distinctly Jamaica.

The 2009 Jamaica Jazz & Blues festival gets under way next Thursday night, January 22, at the Aqueduct in Montego Bay yet again. Set to heat up the opening night are famed duo, Ashford and Simpson, award-winning multiplatinum superstar, Robin Thicke; British Grammy Award-nominated hip hop/R&B singer, rapper and producer Estelle, who is best known for her hit single "American Boy;" Los Van Van, a Cuban band led by bassist Juan Formell, the Reunion Jazz Quartet and Jewish reggae singer, Matisyahu.

On Friday night, January 23rd, the Rose Hall development will come alive with multi-platinum Grammy award-winning singer, Lionel Richie, who will grace the stage along with Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame, jazz greats Randy Crawford and Joe Sample, the Alton Reeds Blues Entourage, Tony Hendriks, and young Canadian sensation, 13-year-old Nikki Yanofsky.

Saturday, Jan. 24th rocks with Chicago, Maxi Priest, Atlantic Starr and the O`Jays, all of whom need no introduction. Also added to the Saturday line up are: acclaimed singer-songwriter Carlene Carter, who has emerged from a period of intense mourning and introspection to craft `Stronger,` an album that explores the power of love to hurt, to bring laughter, to change the heart and, most of all, to heal and the E-Park band.

Jazz fest officials say bargain hunting music lovers looking to enjoy the warmth of Jamaica and the sweet sounds of the 2009 Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival can get great all inclusive last minute deals for less than $999 in some instances. Fans are urged to call Air Jamaica or their favourite travel agent.

Tickets to the nightly festival this year are $US80 or a weekend pass can be obtained for $ $155. A season pass or three day pass is $235 and can be purchased on the Jazz Fest website. Log on directly to www.jamaicajazzandblues.com to buy tickets.

The 2009 festival is being presented this year by the Jamaica Tourist Board, which is the new title sponsor. 

The festival, which since its introduction in 1996 was known as the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and Jamaica. International artistes that have performed at the festival include Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias, Roberta Flack, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Earth Wind and Fire, Kenny G., Michael McDonald, Gladys Knight, Kool & the Gang, Al Jarreau,Branford Marsalis, Brian McKnight Harry Belafonte, Babyface, Stephanie Mills, George Benson, Erykah Badu, Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, and many more.  And to bring the Jamaican flavor, well-known names such as  Ziggy Marley, Morgan Heritage, Third World, Toots Hibbert, Shaggy, Sean Paul  Maxi Priest, Beres Hammond, Monty Alexander, Ritchie Stephens and many other Jamaican talents have made their mark on the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues stage.

This year the festival is being presented by key title sponsor, the Jamaica Tourist Board along with Rose Hall Developments, Jamrock Magazine, Half Moon, The Jamaica Observer, Holiday Inn Sun Spree, The Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort in Rose Hall, Courts Jamaica, Scotiabank, Riu Hotels, CaribPR Wire, Sky Writings Magazine and CMS Media.

For more information log on to: http://www.jamaicajazzandblues.com/final/.