Jamaica Jazz & Blues extends to a week for 2010

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

It may be a down economy, but Jamaica's Jazz & Blues Festival – which recently launched in Toronto, Canada – is managing to extend its offerings from three days to 10 come next year, running January 24–30 in hotels around Montego Bay.

Festival producer Walter Elmore of Turnkey Productions explained: "in the old days, we had only three days of the festival, which we will still have on the Main Stage in Rose Hall. But now we are going to bring an entire week of activities to the island." He said they would also be adding daytime events to cater to cruise ship visitors who typically have to set sail by evening.

This year once again boasts top international headliners, including Jennifer Hudson and Maxi Priest, as well as Jon Secada, Roy Ayers, Joe Roy Jackson, Robin Banks, Richie Stephens, Billy Ocean, Hall and Oates, Third World, Monty Alexander, Tamia, Deborah Cox, Kelly Price, and Marion Hall (aka Lady Saw).