The original owner of the festival, Air Jamaica, also hoped to sell more airline seats during the slow period.
The festival was originally targeted at jazz and blues enthusiasts, attracted audiences of 1,500 to 2,000, and was held in November each year.
Various factors including heavy rains which occur at that time of the year encouraged the organizers to move the dates of the festival to the end of January, another traditionally slow tourism period.
The festival has attracted numerous international artists, including Dr. John, Celine Dion, Gladys Knight, Maroon 5, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, Anita Baker, Hall & Oates, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Maxi Priest, Babyface, The Whispers, Joss Stone, Monty Alexander, Billy Ocean, Chaka Khan, Paul Peress, Regina Belle, Brenda Russell, Mary J. Blige, Dionne Warwick, Estelle, Lionel Richie, George Benson, Chuck Mangione, Smokey Robinson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & The Gang, Boyz II Men, Micheal Bolton, Jill Scott, Brian McKnight, Atlantic Starr, India.Arie, Norah Jones, Harry Belafonte, Julio Iglesias, Patti LaBelle, Air Supply, Al Green, Queen Project, Mary Mary, Robin Thicke, Lou Rawls, Erykah Badu and Mariah Carey.
Local acts include Tarrus Riley, Christopher Martin, Marcia Griffiths, Chronixx, Chalice, Bryan Art,