The highly anticipated Soufriere Jazz 2026 festival, officially branded as ‘The Ultimate Experience,’ was formally unveiled during a launch event at Hotel Chocolat in Soufriere on Sunday, February 8. This premier musical extravaganza forms an integral part of Saint Lucia’s esteemed Jazz & Arts calendar and stands as one of the island’s most significant cultural celebrations.
Ernest Sam Augier, Executive Chairman of the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF), which oversees the event alongside managing Soufriere’s natural attractions including Sulphur Springs Park, characterized the festival as ‘epic’ in scale and quality. Augier emphasized that Soufriere Jazz has consistently delivered monumental performances and exceptional ambiance, promising that the 2026 edition would maintain this prestigious standard.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at the Soufriere mini stadium, the festival aims to transform into a comprehensive weekend experience. Augier revealed plans for a special pre-event celebration on May 1, followed by a post-concert breakfast event on Sunday, May 3 at Sulphur Springs.
The Soufriere Events Management Organization (SEMO) continues its four-year partnership with SRDF to produce the festival. Windia Jaunia of SEMO affirmed the organization’s dedication to crafting exceptional quality events that generate meaningful opportunities for local talent while supporting both emerging and established musical acts. The commitment extends to incorporating small businesses that highlight Soufriere’s rich cultural tapestry and destination appeal.
This year’s theme, ‘The Ultimate Experience,’ symbolizes the festival’s ambition to create lasting memories through atmospheric connections and premium production values that resonate beyond the final musical notes.
The 2026 lineup features a historic reunion of two iconic Saint Lucian bands: Boo & the Tru Tones and Reasons Orchestra, led by Gregory Piper. The festival will showcase reggae artist Meshach, Groovy Monarch Imran Nerdy, soca performers Ezra D Fun Machine and Arthur Allain, along with DYP—all representing Saint Lucia’s vibrant music scene.
International talent includes Trinidad’s soca artist Voice, Guadeloupe’s 1T1, and headline reggae performer Gramps Morgan from the globally acclaimed Morgan Heritage collective. Roy ‘Gramps’ Morgan brings an impressive catalog including band hits like ‘Down By The River’ and ‘Don’t Haffi Dread,’ plus solo successes such as ‘Wash The Tears’ and ‘A Woman Like You.’