Tobago Jazz Festival offends TT PM's "spirituality"

Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his former Trade and Industry Minister Dr Keith Rowley are in Tobago for the weekend. But their agendas are different. While Rowley showed up at the International Jazz Festival to a warm welcome, hugs and kisses, Manning kept his distance.

Following Rowley's dismissal from Cabinet, Tobago expressed anger at the treatment meted out to their "native son" and there was even the suggestion that the fallout for Manning would be serious, some even saying his People's National Movement (PNM) risks losing the Tobago House of Assembly(THA) elections due by the end of the year.

Chief Secretary Orville London said he expects some adverse reaction but did not offer any political judgements on what might happen in the aftermath of Rowley's firing.

Political sources say Manning was well-received when he arrived in Tobago Saturday with his wife, Hazel, and son, Brian. But he didn't venture into the heart of the island and he is staying far from the Jazz festival.

The sources say it's not because of fear that he would get a cold shoulder over the Rowley matter but because Manning never planned to attend the festival. because "spiritually his orientation is not entirely consistent with matters of that nature."

Manning wears his "spiritual orientation" on his sleeve.

The sources did not explain what is offensive with Jazz, which is a free-form art based on variations of classical techniques for the purpose of emancipation from rigid musical standards. It is similar to Calypso, which is more focused on lyrics, some of which could be obscene and inappropriate.

His wife and son plan on attending while Manning will spend his time "to catch up on government work." Cabinet members are also attending the shows.

Some of the international names at the three-day fourth festival in Plymouth include Whitney Houston, Smokey Robinson, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross and Shikara.