TITO JACKSON TO PRESENT ‘TRIBUTE TO THE JACKSON FAMILY’ PERFORMANCE AT THE 14TH ANNUAL ST. KITTS MUSIC FESTIVAL

The St. Kitts Tourism Authority announced that Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tito Jackson of the Jackson 5 will join the line-up of performers for the 14^th Annual St Kitts Music Festival, which takes place June 24-26, 2010.  “Tito Jackson in Tribute to the Jackson Family” will present music from his solo repertoire, selections from the entire Jackson’s catalog including songs from his late brother Michael and his sister Janet Jackson.  Tito states he is looking forward to visiting the beautiful island of St. Kitts and has lots of surprises in store for the audience. “They are going to hear a great retrospective of Jackson family songs, from Janet, Michael, The Jackson Five, and some of my songs” stated Tito, “It will be a great show and will bring back lots of memories and create some new ones, I am sure.”

Bittersweet…

New memories indeed and I’m sure a welcomed addition to the St Kitts Music Festival audience. “Tito Jackson in Tribute to the Jackson Family” falls on the 1^st anniversary of his brother Michael’s passing June 25, 2009.  Last year as the news of MJ’s death spread throughout the world, St Kitts was hosting its 13^th Annual Music Festival.  Concert goers had the pleasure of witnessing the stage morph into a mini-Michael Jackson concert as each artist gave their own special tribute to the King of Pop by opening their sets with a Michael Jackson song—singing a verse or two or doing a calypso style rendition of his music.  Other artists commented on how MJs dance, style, and music influenced their careers.   Regina Bell gave a special tribute to Michael Jackson and King Konris (the reigning King of St Kitts at that time) asked the audience to take a moment of silence for Michael and then began his musical set with Michael rifts and dance.  The crowd was enthralled.  I’m sure none of this was planned and each artist probably had moments before they went on stage to adjust their sets.  What a bittersweet moment and a concert to remember.

St. Kitts and the Caribbean world at large undoubtedly have a special love for the Jackson family.  “It’s an honor to have Tito Jackson join the line-up for this year’s St. Kitts Music Festival,” commented Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport for St. Kitts. “Tito’s tribute concert to the Jackson family music legacy is certain to be memorable for the many Jackson family fans in St. Kitts and the wider Caribbean who will be given a wonderful opportunity to experience this special world-class performance first-hand, while enjoying the unique St. Kitts Musical Festival experience.”

Now in its 14th consecutive year, the festival which features an eclectic mix of musical from R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Contemporary, attracts both residents and visitors alike and is known for featuring rising local talent alongside internationally-renowned acts.  Artists who have graced this stage include John Legend, Beres Hammond, T-Pain, and Sean Paul to name a few.  This year’s line-up include Tito Jackson who will headline Friday, June 25’s line-up of performers; Third World, Fay Ann Lyons, Infamous, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds and Ky-mani Marley.

For more information about the 14^th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, log on to www.stkittsmusicfestival.com.   For more information about St. Kitts, please contact the St. Kitts Tourism Authority toll free from the US at 1-800-582-6208 or from Canada 1-888-395-4887, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or become a fan on Facebook and/or Twitter.