Contact:	Norbert Beatty / Sandra Espinosa
		Barbados News Bureau
		(212) 593-6400

BARBADOS TO HOST 1998 ‘PAINT IT JAZZ’ FESTIVAL
JANUARY 14 – 18, 1998
International Jazz Artists Include Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson and Randy Crawford

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS – The hot sounds of Jazz will come alive once again when Barbados hosts its fifth-annual “Paint It Jazz” Festival from January 14 – 18, 1998.

The festival has become the premier musical event of the Caribbean and this year’s international Jazz legends include Natalie Cole (opening night), Nancy Wilson, John Pizzarelli, Cuban band Havana Ensemble, Marcus Miller, Spyro Gyra, Monty Alexander and Randy Crawford (finale).  Local talent will also be included in the festival’s program.

“We are delighted to host the fifth successful season of Jazz here in Barbados.  This showcase for top international and local talent has become a truly preeminent Jazz celebration,” said Gilbert Rowe, event founder and director of GMR International Tours.

This year’s sponsors include American Airlines, Texaco, Mastercard, Barbados Tourism Authority, Heineken, Mount Gay, Royal Bank, Gilbey’s, Barbados Tourism Development Corporation and Barbados External Telecommunications/Barbados Telephone Company.

Tickets for the 1998 Barbados Jazz Festival are available in North America by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-7171 (U.S.) or 416-870-8000 (Canada). Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster Online at:  www.ticketmaster.com

For more information regarding “Paint It Jazz ‘98,” please contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 800 Second Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017; Tel:  800-221-9831.
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