Soca legend Machel Montano performed a medley of songs from across the Caribbean as part of his performance at the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival: Caribbean Fusion night.

Thousands of music enthusiasts from across the region turned up on Friday (May 10), for the event at the Pigeon Island National Landmark in northern St Lucia.

In addition to his heavyweight soca tracks, Montano showcased his talents by performing classic Bob Marley songs.

Caribbean Fusion is part of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival dedicated to showcasing the different types of popular music throughout the country and the wider Caribbean.

With a headlining set from the ‘Soca King’, the event also featured performances from local artistes Ezra D’Funmachine, Imran Nerdy, Meshach and the Invasion Band as well as a special performance by reggae legend Beres Hammond.

Speaking with Our Today, Montano explained that Beres Hammond’s music and work among others have been major inspirations for him.

• READ: Machel Montano talks about childhood in Jamaica

“I grew up listening to artistes such as Beres, Bob Marley and Buju Banton, what makes me click is greatness. I’m a fan of greatness; Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Beenie Man, The Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener. I love people that could turn up their voltage so high that their life becomes about their mission, and Beres was a person like that for me.”

Montano also commented about his wish for a united Caribbean.

“As people, we’ve already spent hundreds of years celebrating our differences, but it’s time now to celebrate our similarities. The message in my music is “United we stand.” I feel that its time for the Caribbean to drop their borders and show the world how strong we are together. If we drop our borders then together we are 44 million people,” said Montano

“Tonight was bigger than Jazz. Saint Lucia Jazz is one of the leading Jazz’ in the Caribbean and has inspired a lot of the other islands. To come here has been great, I’ve missed coming here and performing, eating the food and seeing the people.” he continued.

Check out this video from the performance below