Jewish Reggae Singer For 2009 Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival

Jewish singer, Matisyahu, who has risen to fame for his unique blend of traditional Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop, is set to make his Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival debut.

Born Matthew Paul Miller, the singer who stands out for wearing the traditional clothing of Hasidic Jews, is set to help open the event on Thursday January 22, 2009 with some of his favorites including hits like `King Without A Crown.`Matisyahu was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard and a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole. He is slated to release a new album in early 2009.

Matisyahu will join London song bird Estelle, Robin Thicke and Los Van Van at the Thursday, January 22, 2009 performance. Thicke is an award-winning multiplatinum superstar who recently released Something Else, a joyful and modern tribute to the ‘70s soul and pop records that have inspired an extraordinary career.

Estelle, formerly known as Est'elle, is a British Grammy Award-nominated hip hop/R&B singer, rapper, and producer. She is best known for her hit single American Boy, which topped the U.K. charts for four weeks in March 2008 and went on to win numerous awards. Los Van Van is a Cuban band led by bassist Juan Formell, and is considered to be one of Cuba's major timba acts, while Juan Formell has arguably become the most important figure in contemporary Cuban music.

On Friday, January 23, 2009 Jamaica’s Rose Hall Development in Montego Bay will come alive with multi-platinum Grammy award-winning singer, Lionel Richie, who will grace the stage along with Lou Gramm of Foreigner fame, Randy Crawford and Joe Sample, Alton Reeds Blues Entourage and young Canadian sensation, 13-year-old Nikki Yanofsky. Saturday, January 24, 2009 rocks with Chicago, Maxi Priest, Atlantic Starr and the O`Jays, all of whom need no introduction.