With the Jazz & Arts Festival 2025 on its promotional tour of the Caribbean, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority marked an important milestone in Martinique with an immersive and convivial evening.
The aim: to present the highlights of the next edition of the Jazz & Arts Festival, while strengthening tourism, economic and creative ties between Saint Lucia and its French-speaking neighbors.
Alongside Annie-Claude Lefroy, Representative for the French West Indies, and Mrs Allison K.J. Joseph, Consul General of Saint Lucia in the Antilles-Guyane, an official delegation from Saint Lucia took part in the Jazz & Arts Festival 2025, accompanied by emblematic artists such as DJ Hollywood HP, guitarist Ronald Boo Hinkson and singer Christa Bailey. Their presence gave a lively, warm face to this regional campaign, testifying to Saint Lucia’s determination to make culture a genuine lever for Caribbean cooperation.
An invitation to experience Saint Lucia
“We don’t go very far, but we pass into another universe. This simple, evocative opening sentence sums up the very essence of Saint Lucia: a familiar neighbor with an exotic landscape and welcome. “You are very welcome here, and very important to us,” insisted Consul Allison K.J. Joseph, addressing the Martiniquais.
Saint Lucia defines itself as an “award-winning, authentic and plural” destination, combining romance, adventure, nature and gastronomy. From the iconic World Heritage-listed pitons to the markets of Castries, from the waterfalls of Soufrière to Bamboo Rafting on the Marigot River, every experience nourishes body and soul. The island boasts both luxury hotels and intimate accommodations grouped under the “Collection de Pépites” label, for an immersion experience on a human scale.
The Martiniquais find a taste of freedom and authenticity here: Dennery’s famous Creole Bread, local rum from Marigot Bay, Friday Night excursions in Gros Islet and Piton beer are among the little travel rituals that weave the collective memory. “There’s no room for dieting in Saint Lucia”, Annie-Claude Lefroy humorously remarks, referring to the attachment of French-speaking visitors to the local gastronomy.
Jazz & Arts Festival: A Leading Cultural Showcase
From April 30 to May 11, 2025, Saint Lucia will vibrate to the rhythm of its 33ᵉ Jazz & Arts Festival, an edition announced as more ambitious and open than ever. The Jazz & Arts Festival, born in 1992 to liven up the off-peak seasons, is now a mainstay of island event tourism, on a par with Carnival or Creole Heritage Month in October.
The Jazz & Arts Festival 2025 program combines large-scale concerts, urban artistic creations and moments of musical intimacy. The opening evening will welcome Gretchen Wilson, a country music icon much appreciated in Saint Lucia. She will be followed by a mixed line-up: Sizzla (reggae, Jamaica), Lady Lava (soca, Trinidad), Trilla G, Nice & Pudaz, and local artists from the soca and bouyon scene, including DYP and the Saint Lucia All Stars.
Add to this Kingdom Night – a gospel night featuring artists such as Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Maverick City – and two 100% jazz evenings at Rodney Bay. The event is not limited to music: “Art and the City” will transform Castries into an open-air gallery, with exhibitions, spoken word(Voices of the Underground), cultural tributes(The Icon Series) and craft markets ( Ti Tak Ste. Lisi ).
Artists from Martinique will also be on hand: musician Miki, invited to play with pianist Richard Payne, DJs Payou and Killer, and Jean-Philippe Meignac. “That’s what the festival is all about: building bridges. And these artistic exchanges are mutually enriching,” says Annie-Claude Lefroy.
A stronger regional dynamic
The Martinique event was also an opportunity to salute the many partners involved in this regional synergy: travel agencies, shipping and airline companies, the media, content creators and influencers. “Without the media, there might not be any jazz,” said an emotional SLTA representative, thanking in particular RCI, Radio Fusion and Martinique la 1ère, as well as creators such as Lorenza, Michel and Gilles, for their commitment to promoting the destination.
In terms of transport, the link remains essential: L’Express des Îles, Caribbean Airlines, Air Caraïbes, Air Antilles, as well as private ferries such as Olive Express, have been hailed for their role in this flow of travelers, talent and ideas. “We’ve always wanted to build this bridge between Martinique and Saint Lucia, and every year we strengthen it a little more.
A growing Caribbean dynamic
In Martinique, Saint Lucia has launched an invitation that is sincere, lively and resolutely Caribbean-oriented. The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2025 doesn’t just offer a top-notch musical program: it embodies a philosophy, an art of entertaining, a desire to build together a more connected, creative and united Caribbean.
To mark this commitment, an official delegation from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority made the trip, along with emblematic artists from the Lucia scene, such as DJ Hollywood HP and guitarist Ronald Boo Hinkson, a true living legend on the island. Their presence, as well as that of the Martinican musicians invited to the festival, symbolizes this desire for cultural exchange and mutual recognition.
“Come and experience not only the music, but also the rhythm, energy and hospitality of our country,” concluded Allison K.J. Joseph. An invitation that many have already accepted. For the others, perhaps 2025 will be the year of the first meeting.
