Two of R&B’s most enduring voices will close one of the Caribbean’s signature music events next spring.
Fresh off their sold-out “The Boy Is Mine Tour,” Brandy and Monica were announced as headliners for the 2026 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, setting the stage for a Mother’s Day finale built on pure vocal power and ’90s nostalgia.
Festival organizers have confirmed that the Grammy Award-winning artist will headline the ultimate celebration of Mother’s Day and perform the closing performance of the multi-day festival. The announcement has already generated strong international interest and strengthens the event’s position as one of the most established cultural showcases in the region.
Early bird tickets for the 2026 edition are now officially on sale.
A finale built for a big finish
Brandy and Monica’s return to the stage together was one of the most talked-about live pairings in R&B in recent years. Their chemistry, built over decades of solo work and the enduring popularity of their duet “The Boy Is Mine,” gives the festival a headlining moment that blends nostalgia with modern appeal.
Festival president Thaddeus M. Antoine said their inclusion adds significant star power to what organizers describe as a carefully curated lineup spanning jazz, gospel, soca, reggae, Afrobeats, country and soul.
The Mother’s Day finale also features St. Lucian guitarist Kyle Ernest, British soul icon Beverley Knight with Mervin Wilkinson and Friends, and legendary hitmaker Billy Ocean, whose catalog of feel-good classics is a natural fit for the celebration.
A week of diverse genres across Saint Lucia
The 2026 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival opens on April 30 and runs until Mother’s Day weekend, featuring a mix of international luminaries and local talent.
Opening Night features performances by Capleton, Valiant, Asa Bantan, D’YANI, Shervon Sealy, LM Stone and American country artist Amber Digby, offering a cross-genre blend of Caribbean and international sounds.
Pure Jazz – Ladies in Concert will highlight internationally acclaimed bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding, along with Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne and Saint Lucian artists Camille Charlemagne and Leandra Modeste.
Kingdom Night features Grammy-nominated singers Tye Tribbett, Ada Ehi, Shirleyann Cyril-Mayers and Nigela St. It centers around gospel with Clair-Daniel and Saint Lucian gospel performers.
Pure Jazz – Elements of the Arts combines live performance with visual and creative expression, combining the Branford Marsalis Quartet with special artwork from Jesse Billy and the Cultural Development Foundation.
Caribbean Fusion taps into energetic regional sounds including Kes the Band, The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson and Skip Marley, Dexta Daps, and Saint Lucian Mélange led by Groovy Soca King Imran Nerdy.
World Beats adds global reach with Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems and British R&B star Ella Mai, while French Caribbean artist X-Man from Martinique, Lu City, Princess Lover, Les Aiglons de Guadeloupe and October 4 also joins.
Destination events with staying power
Over the years, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival has evolved into more than a traditional jazz gathering. Programs now cross genres and locations, combining international headliners with strong local representation and positioning the island as both stage and backdrop.
The inclusion of Brandy and Monica highlights this strategy. Their appeal spans multiple generations and markets, attracting fans from across North America, Europe and the Caribbean. This is a huge boost not only to ticket sales, but also to destination travel during the late spring season.
With early bird tickets now available and a line-up that crosses styles and borders, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the festival’s most ambitious yet. It concludes with two voices that defined an era and still captivate audiences around the world.
