The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival has officially announced its 2026 lineup with R&B icons Brandy and Monica as headliners.
Now 34 years strong and one of the Caribbean’s most successful cultural festivals, the event continues to pull in attendees from around the world. Running from April 30 to May 10, the island is transformed into a vibrant hub of music, art, and cultural experiences in local communities. The main stage lineup at Pigeon Island National Landmark and Rodney Bay features a mix of music; gospel, Caribbean, jazz, R&B and pop.
Highlights include:
• R&B icons Brandy and Monica
• Global pop star Tems
• Grammy Award winning British R&B singer Ella Mai
• The Original Wailers with Al Anderson and Skip Marley
• British queen of soul Beverley Knight
• Grammy legend Billy Ocean
“This festival is a powerful expression of our identity, a platform through which we share our soul with the world, a celebration that preserves our heritage while telling our stories, projecting our identity, and differentiating Saint Lucia on the global stage” remarked Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage.
The full lineup:
• Opening Night (April 30): A powerful fusion of Caribbean and international sounds featuring Capleton, Valiant, Asa Bantan, D’YANI, Shervon Sealy, LM Stone, and American country artist Amber Digby.
Capleton
• Pure Jazz – Ladies in Concert (May 5): An elegant celebration of jazz artistry with the internationally acclaimed Esperanza Spalding, Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne, and Saint Lucian talents Camille Charlemagne and Leandra Modeste.
Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne
• Kingdom Night (May 6): An uplifting evening of praise and worship featuring Grammy-nominated American gospel singer and songwriter Tye Tribbett, Ada Ehi, Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers, Nigela St. Clair-Daniel, and Saint Lucian gospel all-stars.
Tye Tribbett
• Pure Jazz – Elements of the Arts (May 7): World-class jazz meets creative expression with the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Jesse Billy, and a special arts production by the Cultural Development Foundation.
Branford Marsalis Quartet
• Caribbean Fusion (May 8): A high-energy showcase of regional brilliance with Kes the Band, The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson and Skip Marley, Dexta Daps, and the Saint Lucian Mélange led by the reigning Groovy Soca King Imran Nerdy.
The Original Wailer Ft. Al Anderson & Skip Marley
• World Beats (May 9): A genre-blending night under the stars featuring Grammy Award winning Nigerian singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and genre-blending sound that fuses Afrobeats, R&B, and global pop star – Tems and Grammy Award winning British R&B singer-songwriter celebrated for her smooth vocals, timeless sound, and chart-topping hits Ella Mai. Sharing the stage is the dynamic French Caribbean artist from Martinique X-Man, Lu City, Princess Lover, Les Aiglons de Guadeloupe, and October 4.
Tems
• The Ultimate Celebration (May 10 Finale): A grand closing night with Mervin Wilkinson and Friends plus Beverley Knight, the celebrated British soul icon whose powerful, expressive voice and decades-long career have earned her multiple MOBO Awards. Festival goers can get ready to sing along with the Grammy Award winning hitmaker whose feel-good, classics make him the perfect soundtrack for the closing night, the legendary Billy Ocean. Fresh from their ‘The Boy is Mine’ tour and closing out the night are Brandy and Monica.
Billy Ocean
TICKETS & INFORMATION
For full festival details, updates, and ticket information, visit www.saintluciajazzandartsfestival.com
Saint Lucia Tourism Authority was voted as World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2025, Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2025 and Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination 2025 by the World Travel Awards