Jazz festival postponed

Organizers of the Plymouth Jazz Festival in Trinidad and Tobago said the event has been cancelled as the country grapples with the effects of the deepening financial crisis.



The festival was scheduled for late April.



The organisers are denying reports that the decision to call off the 2009 edition of the event had anything to do with the current situation at CL Financial, the parent company of major sponsor CLICO.



CLICO, one of the major sponsors of the festival since it began in 2005, pulled out earlier this year.



CL Communications chief executive officer, Tony Maharaj said there were concerns about the high rates charged by some local hotels, which he said led to the poor response for bookings for the April 24 to 26 event.



He said there have also been increased concerns about the affordability of traveling to Tobago.



However, Mr Maharaj said the event could be staged later this year.



He said it’s not certain if the festival will be held in 2010.