Although I’m in cold Philly right now, I have to keep tapping into the “hot” Jamaica experience in order to write them all down. So here goes the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. The line up had people such as Babyface, Gladys Knight, Joss Stone, Erykah Badu, Maxi Priest, Third World, Jon Secada, Hall & Oates and way more. Being able to visit Jamaica was a blessing already, but then to be there for one of the biggest music festivals was even more amazing. Seeing that I was rollin’ with Third World, the access I had was crazy really. Not only did I get to enjoy the performances, but I actually had backstage access and all.

On Friday we first had a press conference with Third World. It was the best press conference I ever witnessed. Simply because the questions that were asked, all were flowing into one great conversation really. The attending media was very much on point with everything. That evening, Jo & I tried to catch The Queen Project (Deborah Cox, Kelly Price & Tamia). They started early so we were ready to go at 7 pm already. For some reason, we kept missing the shuttle bus LOL. The shuttle only went every half hour from the resort to the stadium. That bus was NOT on time, in fact, it kept leaving early so we kept missing it. It took us about 3 shuttle buses and 3 hours later before we finally reached the stadium.

When we arrived Machel Montano was on stage. I have to say, that dude’s performance is FIRE! He definitely got the whole crowd shaking their waists and booties. The energy this guy is projecting off the stage is crazy. After Machel it was Erykah Badu’s turn. Although I had seen Erykah a few times before in Amsterdam, I was excited to see her here in Jamaica at this particular festival. Coming on after Machel and his energy, knowing her type of music is more smooth, I was wondering if she could keep the crowd alive. But she definitely did. Having a press card made it possible for Jo & I to stand in the press area in front of the stage, so we could see everything up close. Erykah really did her thing and loved showing off the little booty she has now, wearing some tight latex pants. One little disturbing thing during Erykah’s show was a crazy drunk old ass female fan of hers that kept screaming through her performance in my left eye. Screaming song titles she wanted Erykah to perform and screaming along the lyrics, totally wrong and off. This crazy woman ended up climbing over the fence into the press area, bumping people left and right to get literally in front of Erykah, while screaming and giggling with her drunk self. Blocking everybody’s shot (photocamera’s as well as video camera’s) at Erykah, moving her fat arms in the air. I wanted to cut them off. Thank goodness it was almost at the end of the show and I already had my good shots of footage.

After Erykah’s performance it was Billy Ocean’s turn. Who would have thought this oldie could still rock 10.000 people in the stadium? Unfortunately Erykah didn’t do interviews and drove off in the car as soon as she got off stage. I must say I wasn’t pressed for interviews at the Jazz Festival though. I mainly came to enjoy the shows and if I happen to catch someone, that would be a nice extra. I met a lot of interesting people that night as well. Chicago stand up! So it happens Jo is originally from Chicago and we end up meeting artists from a band from Chi-town when we were backstage.

The next morning Pat, Joe (Pat’s son, not Jo), Marlene and I went out on a catamaran on the sea. That was a lovely experience. The ocean was so warm. When we sailed out, we ended up swimming around in the middle of the water. When we got back we laid out at the beach again where I fell asleep and burned my ass again -sigh. Yep, very much burnt again. Greed is a bad thing lol. Greed for that golden brown that is. That afternoon Joe & I went on the waterslides and in the river stream of the big pool. But that evening I was THE poster girl for Red Lobster for real. Itching like crazy and wasn’t even able to dry myself off with a towel without the towel hurting my burnt skin. Nonetheless of course we hit up the last day of the festival. (You will see on the pictures with the photo camera’s I look RED on all of them lol.)

This time, we were on point with the shuttle bus, ha. And we took food from the buffet on the bus, knowing we could eat all day and were still hungry. Not to mention it was about a thirty minute drive to the stadium. There we sat with our plastic cups filled with soup, rice, salad and cake. Piggy Crew 4 Life lol! Early as we went, we ended up arriving during the last set of Marion Hall (formerly known as Lady Saw). Jon Secada was up next and he was DOIN the damn thing. Dude must be in his 50’s or so right now but he was working that whole stage, performing at least an hour and half.

When Hall & Oates got on, we ran into Lady Saw in a booth in the stadium where she was doing some more shout outs and interviews. As lovely and sweet as she was, she gave us a few minutes to talk to her as well. Jo did this interview for payology.com and it will be up soon. After Hall & Oates, Gladys Knight got on. She is such a diva still. Both Hall & Oates and Gladys Knight didn’t do any interviews or photo’s that night. Shame but again, I definitely enjoyed the music. They both also did a little tribute to Teddy Pendergrass, which was awesome.

During the performance of Gladys, after another press conference of Third World, we ended up upstairs at the dressing room & press area (on the other side of the stadium) where I was able to do my short interview with Third World before they had to go on stage. Third World was closing the festival, being one of the (if not THE) biggest reggae band known. 35 years and going. Its unbelievable the band exists longer than I do. They are such great people besides being great artists. By the time they got on stage it was around 2 am already and I was exhausted. Mind you, the stadium is huge and Jo & I had to keep walkin around fences and through the stadium, up and down stairs, to get from the stage (or backstage) to the other press areas and what not. I had to have walked miles and miles for the nights at the festival. Smart thing though, I wore my sneakers that last night lol.

Third World definitely closed the festival with a bang. The later it got, the more people got into the stadium and when they were performing it was nothing but a sea of people to see from the stage. Beautiful. Cat Coore is such a talent. He went from playing the guitar to playing the drums to playing the cello.

The next day I actually slept in and missed breakfast. I was so so tired. Jo & I ended up eating lunch at the Mangoe’s restaurant while playing Bingo. Yes, we played Bingo, really. Jo won two times, my card sucked lol. I couldn’t lay out in my bikini this day cause I was still burnt. Feeling like a 2nd degree burn still. That afternoon most of the fam left to go back home. Almost everyone staying at the resort was leaving, seeing most came down for the Jazz & Blues festival. The only ones staying were Jo, Marlene & I. Jo & I went back to the activities area cause we wanted to participate in the hermit crab races. I lost 6 dollars! Darn crabs!

That evening, Kymanni, Marlene’s best friend, took us to go to Dead End bar, which is owned by another friend of Marlene, who gave up his bar in Brooklyn a few years ago, to live down here in Jamaica, running this bar. We hung out there for a minute and then went back. Marlene had  to leave at 6 am in the morning to catch her flight. Jo & I moved back to Donahue’s, the Altamont West hotel for our last night.

On our last day, Jo, Kymanni & I went to Doctor’s Cave beach to eat and have our last drinks. My last fresh blended Pina Colada. Sigh. When we got to Doctor’s Cave, I saw ol’ aggressive dude, whom I had to put in place a week before, walking through the street. I actually hid in the car cause I didn’t wanna get into it again LOL. Anyway, we sat at the beach restaurant til the sun went down. I went back to the hotel and Jo & Kymanni went out to a bar. I was too tired to go. The next morning I said my bye’s to Donahue and the hotel staff (I got to know everybody there). Donahue was on his way out to drive back to Kingston again. Jo & Kymanni dropped me off at the airport, Jo’s flight wasn’t until a few hours later. Man, I don’t wanna get into this but I will never fly US Airways again. And security in Jamaica, seriously? Three times raiding and ravaging my hand luggage? SMH. Anyway, I made it safe to Philly where the homie Drew came and got me. Cold as it is, I’m glad it’s sunny over here.

I truly truly miss Jamaica a lot and I will plan another trip there. I have met so many great people over there that I just have to go back and visit them all. Many thanks and much love goes out to Victor for giving me the opportunity to experience this beautiful island and its wonderful culture. I definitely got up with the culture music wise, food wise and people wise and I can definitely understand why Jamaica is ranked 3rd on the World’s Happiest Countries list.

This has been one of the most amazing and beautiful travel experiences I’ve had thanks to the people I was rollin’ with. It goes to show that when you surround yourself with good people and be the best person you can be, good things will come to you. I am in Philly now. Next stop: Brooklyn New York!

Peace & Blessings. <3

Bye Bye Jamaica, see you soon again.