Cee Lo Green's Jamaican connection

Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, popularly known as Cee Lo Green, is no stranger to Jamaica. The American singer-songwriter headlines The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival - The Art of Music on Saturday, January 28, at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

The relationship began with the single Going On, by Gnarls Barkley, the duo of Cee Lo Green, and Danger Mouse, which explored local talent resulting in the video reflecting a heavy Jamaican theme.

The music video, which was directed by Canadian Wendy Morgan and shot in Jamaica, currently registers nearly 2.5 million likes on Youtube. It featured dancers such as Sashi Empire, Shady Squad, Mystic, and had a long lifespan on MTV and BET. In 2008, the single also peaked at 88 on United States' (US) charts, 79 in Australia and 143 in the United Kingdom (UK).

Cee Lo Green originally came to prominence as a member of the southern hip-hop group Goodie Mob, later launching a critically acclaimed solo career.

Internationally, Cee Lo is best known for his hip-hop work and Gnarls Barkley's 2006 worldwide hit Crazy, which reached number one on various singles charts worldwide, including in the UK. In the US, Crazy reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2010, Cee Lo took a break from recording with Gnarls Barkley and released the single Forget You! on August 19 as a solo recording artiste. The song was an instant hit, reaching the top spot in the UK and the Netherlands and charted at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. His second single It's OK was a hit in Europe and the third single, Bright Lights Bigger City has also seen similar charting success. Cee Lo is currently a vocal coach on the NBC reality talent show, The Voice, with Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton.

Jazz lineup

The enigmatic performer is joined in the line-up by Celine Dion, Nicole Henry, Heads of State, Jully Black, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Gentleman; and Jamaica's finest musical talent, including Shaggy, Richie Stephens, John Holt, Yellowman, Half Pint, Tessanne Chin and Tami Chynn, and Marcia Griffiths.

Corporate support for the festival has been favourable with the Jamaica Tourist Board, Iberostar, and Flow returning along with RIU, Half Moon Resorts, Hilton Rose Hall, CVM TV (the official television partner), The Gleaner (the official print partner), Scotiabank, Pure Country and Loyal Haylett Management Services and many others.

The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival - Art of Music take place at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium from January 26-28.