CARIBBEAN SOCA AND REGGAE ADDED TO ST. LUCIA JAZZ

For Immediate Release

Contact: Bevan Springer + 1 201 861-2056

bevanspringer@nj.rr.com

CARIBBEAN SOCA AND REGGAE ADDED TO ST. LUCIA JAZZ

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (March 18, 2006) – Trinidad and Tobago’s soca star Machel Montano, who dominated the 2006 Trinidad and Tobago carnival, and Jamaica reggae group T.O.K. are now on the line-up of the world famous St. Lucia Jazz.

Add these outstanding Caribbean musical acts to Britain’s Seal, Babyface, Nancy Wilson, Poncho Sanchez, the Reverend Al Green, Freddy Cole, Kenny Garrett, Ciara, and Rihanna, and St. Lucia Jazz should have a crystal anniversary to remember when the music starts from May 5-14, 2006.

But there’s even more on the menu. Organizers have disclosed that the Jazz Guitar Trio, featuring St. Lucia’s Boo Hinkson, Michael Boothman and Stanley Jordan; St. Lucian group Sisterhood; and the Jazz Project featuring Everette Harp, Omar Hakim, Nelson Rangel and Morris Pleasure will also perform at this year’s event.

“We’re excited,” said native St. Lucian Cybelle Brown, Vice President for Sales and Marketing for BET Event Productions and for BET Digital Networks, whose network produces and promotes the festival in concert with the St. Lucia Tourist Board. “2006 St. Lucia Jazz is going to be another great event, capping 15 years of dynamic performances and the promotion of St. Lucia’s vibrant culture and unspoiled charm,” she said.

Brown disclosed that a preview show, hosted by actress Kim Fields and showcasing the wonders of St. Lucia, was currently on rotation on BET J. Upcoming air dates are on March 18, April 1, April 22 and April 29, to be aired each day at 1 p.m., 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. (the following morning). The show airs on BET on March 19 at 10:30 p.m. and March 22 at 2 a.m. (All times are Eastern). Highlights of 2005 St. Lucia Jazz are scheduled for airing on BET on April 12 at 2 a.m., and on BET J on March 25, April 8 and May 6 at 1 p.m., 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. (the following morning).

Since its establishment in 1992, St. Lucia Jazz has grown in magnitude and stature to become one of the preeminent Jazz festivals in the world, featuring multiple shows daily, ranging from acoustic, to new age and straight-ahead jazz, soul, fusion and R & B. Unique to the festival are its “fringe” events, which are held in a variety of locations and venues around the island. For more information and updates about St. Lucia Jazz, visit www.stluciajazz.org.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 80 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks – BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; and BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ring tones, games and video content for wireless devices.

ENDS

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