Some say North Coast Jazz Festival is not only about the music, but more about the people of Blanchisseuse.

Such a statement may not be very far from the reality, as the festival is about assisting in the development of a Bed and Breakfast industry for the people of this tiny enclave on either side of the Paria Main Road on Trinidad’s North Coast.

If there are two dominant features associated with North Coast Jazz it is the emphasis on attracting and show casing the local musicians and creating an environment where the demand for vacation room will increase.

Speaking of this new prestigious project, Former Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing, who is chairman of the North Coast Jazz said: “The jazz is as important as the needs of the community of 

Blanchisseuse. Blanchisseuse like many far flung rural communities receive little from Central Government.

I dare say even when crumbs are being shared at Portof-Spain, not even the dust from the crumbs is received at Blanchisseuse.”

As a local resident himself, he believes the good people of Blanchisseuse cannot wait as their needs are forever growing while they are neglected.

North Coast Jazz is one way of assisting in creating a demand for rooms and this demand has grown over the last two years of 

Jazz. 2019 represents year three of the festival and room stock though still very much short in supply has grown and continues to grow.

The festival’s tagline is “Born here, Played here” and is a pointed message for those who would listen. North Coast Jazz is for musicians/artistes with their navel strings cut within our space.

In response to those who want music from elsewhere Lee Sing said: “When one contemplates at any given moment in T&T there are hundreds of musicians/ artistes honing their craft and with nowhere to play, it is our vision to create a platform for them to burst loose.

“At North Coast Jazz, they have that space. It is their stage for they were born here and we welcome them playing here. This is the meaning of utilising what you have to make something out of nothing,” added Lee Sing.

Yet North Coast Jazz is more than just about music and the availability of bed and breakfast rooms. It is a country festival where the local cuisine—be it a bay leaf ice-cream—is as tasty as a crab and dumpling or for that matter it is about the best stews and soups.

It is a place where you know the cooking is good.

North Coast Jazz has become known in two short years for its organisation and management.

Parking and traffic management remains a powerful marketing feature as patrons have options to either park their vehicles and make the journey by bus for which patrons pay $50 return.

Buses depart the Paddock at the Queen’s Park Savannah between the hours of 10 am to 2 pm and begin the return journey departing from 9 pm. Only people with tickets are allowed on the bus and tickets must be purchased in advance from NLCB outlets.

Further if you opt to drive to Blanchisseuse you can park your vehicle in one of two designated parking zones and from there you will be shuttled to the festival park.

This is an experience you ought not to miss, pack your cooler, shoulder your chair and join the throngs who make the journey to the island’s most unique festival where every musician you will hear was Born here and Plays here.

North Coast Jazz—The Artistes:

Sharlan Bailey

Kashiff Wilson Kwartet

3 Canal

Maya Scott

Gates Praise

Natasha Joseph