A major new music festival is days away from its inaugural staging on St Croix in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). 

The new USVI Caribbean Music Festival is the product of a collaboration between the United Jazz Foundation and the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. 

The festival, which will be free of charge will take place over several weekends from February 17, March 25 and May 27 with a line-up of some of the biggest stars in jazz music. 

The show will begin with a pre-event featuring steelpan music at the Fort Frederik Courtyard, followed by performances by Marvin David’s Caribbean Players, Calvin Johnson and Native Son of New Orleans, along with Dianne Reeves. 

The March 25 concert will include Cuban jazz legend Chucho Valdes, joined by special guests including Grammy winner (and Oscar-nominated composer) Terence Blanchard and saxophonist Joe Lovano. 

The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, directed by Adonis Rose, will also perform. The final night will see the Steel Pan Ensemble under the direction of Victor Provost, joined by some of the US Virgin Islands’ top pan players. 

Hailing the move was USVI Commissioner of the Department of Tourism, Joseph Boschulte, who declared, “We are excited to partner with the United Jazz Foundation to bring the Caribbean Music Festival to the island of St Croix. As the territory continues to grow as an entertainment destination, we aim to attract a global audience of music lovers to experience performances by internationally renowned musicians and leading local acts. Each month guests are sure to feel naturally in rhythm.”