Owner and Executive Producer of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, Walter Elmore, has announced that the 2022 staging of the Jazz and Blues Festival will be deferred until 2023.

Elmore noted that this decision comes in light of the uncertainties that surround the novel coronavirus in Jamaica along with artistes being very reluctant to perform given the circumstances.

“The artistes are still very reluctant to commit to performances until they better understand the impact of the virus, especially outside of their homelands,” Elmore stated.

Elmore also pointed out that after a five-year hiatus, the festival made a hugely successful return via a virtual immersive production that garnered 200,000 views worldwide.

In spite of this, Elmore, however, noted that the team was leaning towards a virtual festival this year and hosting a hybrid festival that inculcates both a virtual and physical feel next year.

“All things considered, the team felt strongly that rather than just do the festival virtually again this year, we could present an event that can offer a physical as well as virtual options,” Elmore pointed out.

Following the statement, the organisers have promised that the 2023 staging will be a magical experience.

“COVID-19 has forced everyone to think outside of the box and so I’m very excited about some new options that we are looking at for our company,” he shared.

“We were initially disappointed that the 2022 edition could not happen but we have now moved on to putting out all our efforts to give our fans a magical experience superseding all they have had before while introducing new ways for our partners to engage with the festival and the art of music,” Elmore added.

The Jazz and Blues Festival, which was founded in 1996, has welcomed audience has welcomed an audience in excess of 30,000 and has also welcomed many international visitors to Jamaica for a once-in-a-lifetime musical vacation experience.