Barbados Gospelfest | Barbados

Barbadians are very religious people with over 100 religious sects operating in Barbados. Against this backdrop it is inevitable that there would be a large religious festival on the island. Gospel music plays an important role in the spiritual lives of Barbadians and the growth of Barbados Gospelfest is indicative of this fact.

Featuring a very diverse musical line up, including traditional, reggae, calypso, jazz,  and soul, this annual celebration draws top gospel talent from Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, the French island of Martinique, and the USA. Past performers have included Dorothy Norwood, James Moore, Ben Tankard, Douglas Miller, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Alvin Slaughter, Tramline Hawkins, Candi Staton, Harrella Goodwin, and Kirk Franklin.

For more information regarding venues and performances, visit the Barbados Gospelfest website. Also check out the island’s official tourism site as well, if you’re contemplating visiting Barbados now or in the near future.

Barbados Jazz Festival, Barbados

Celebrating the best in international and local jazz talent, the country’s flagship musical event, the Barbados Jazz Festival sends out the soulful sounds of jazz across the island from idyllic venues: the modern Sir Garfield Sobers gymnasium suits a large crowd; the open air Farley Hill National Park is ideal for a day of picnicking and jazz, and the lovely Sunbury Plantation House is over 300 years old and steeped in history. For more information, visit the official website of the Barbados Tourism Authority.

Photo: Jazz Musician Kenny Garrett, Barbados Jazz Festival, 2005