ANDOVER musician Jean-Paul Noel-Cephise has shared his excitement at getting the opportunity to open the inaugural Jerk Jam this Saturday, a festival that marks a significant cultural milestone for the town.

Andover's first-ever Jerk Jam, inspired by the larger festival in Southampton, will bring a taste of Caribbean culture to Vigo Park.

The free-to-attend event, supported by the Andover Town Council with a £10,500 funding contribution, is expected to attract around 4,500 attendees.

This "mini version" of the festival will feature a large stage with music, stilt walkers, entertainers, and fire performers, offering something unique to the town's residents, particularly its younger population.

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Jean-Paul in Andover with parents Jean-Marie and SuzyJean-Paul, best known for his appearances on reality TV shows like Blind Dates and Strangers Making Babies, has now focused on his passion for music and is eager to represent his hometown at this landmark event.

The 54-year-old artist, who moved to Andover at the age of four, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to perform in his hometown.

"It's the first festival that we're having in Andover," he said.

"What I'm quite excited about is the opportunity to represent my hometown. When I grew up in Andover, there weren't really a lot of Black people, and music like reggae or Afrobeat wasn't really celebrated. So it's quite a milestone for the town to progress and embrace diversity in 2024."

Having attended St John the Baptist Primary, John Hanson School, and Cricklade College before moving on to South Bank University, Jean-Paul's roots in Andover run deep.

His parents, who originally hail from Mauritius, have lived in the town for more than 50 years.

Reflecting on his upbringing, Jean-Paul said: "As a first-generation immigrant, growing up in Andover, I never really had that representation or diversity. I'm really pleased that we now have a festival celebrating culture."

Jean-Paul, who has a tribute act that includes Elvis Presley, Motown hits, and Bob Marley classics, will open the festival with a set at 12pm. 

"I'm doing some Bob Marley, and then I'm doing some Motown," he explained.

"But here's the thing, they've actually got a tribute band called the Marley Experience coming on a few hours later. So it's quite nerve-wracking to perform before them, but I really want to represent and do justice to my hometown."

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With his parents and children in attendance, the performance holds special significance for him.

"There's a bit of pressure," he admitted. "But I'm very proud to help bring Andover into the 2024 diversity approach that we should have had 30 years ago when I was growing up here."

The festival, which runs from 11am to 9.30pm, promises to be a day of music, food, and entertainment.