World-Renowned Caribbean Jazz Pianist to Perform at the SUNSHINE Awards in St. Maarten

Get ready for an unforgettable night when the 38th Annual SUNSHINE Awards lights up St. Maarten on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the Aleeze Convention Center—because one of the Caribbean’s world renowned most celebrated musician and cultural visionaries is coming to town!

JOHN ARNOLD IS COMING TO THE SUNSHINE AWARDS!

The SUNSHINE Awards is thrilled to announce that world-renowned Caribbean jazz pianist, composer, musical director and cultural visionary, John Arnold of Tobago will be a special guest performer at this year’s celebration. And make no mistakes, this is not just another performance. This is a musical moment! For SUNSHINE Awards Founder and Chairman Gil Figaro, securing John Arnold for the St. Maarten celebration is nothing short of extraordinary.

“Getting John Arnold to perform at the SUNSHINE Awards is like winning the lottery!” says Figaro. “John Arnold represents the very best of Caribbean music, culture, creativity and excellence. To have him on our stage in St. Maarten is a tremendous honor, and our audience is in for something very special.”

FROM TOBAGO TO THE WORLD

John Arnold’s musical journey began at the age of eight in Tobago, where he taught himself to play the piano by listening to the radio and translating the music he heard into his own unique musical language. Those early beginnings would become the foundation for a remarkable career spanning music, education, cultural leadership, administration and international representation of Caribbean culture.

Arnold is the founder and leader of the Kariwak Players, Tobago’s premier jazz ensemble, and his artistry can be heard across six recorded albums, including Breaking Ground, Smooth Jazzy Feelings, Deep Inside, Anonymous, Jazz Standards in the Tambrin Sauce, and Kaiso in the Jazz Stew. His music is deeply Caribbean—but his vision is very global.

A CULTURAL ARCHITECT

John Arnold is much more than a gifted pianist. He is a cultural architect who has spent decades building platforms for Caribbean creativity and helping to ensure that the region’s artists, musicians and cultural traditions receive the recognition they deserve.

His music and leadership have helped shape and advance some of the Caribbean’s most celebrated cultural events, including the Tobago Jazz Festival, Tobago Gospel Festival, Tobago Muhtadi International Drumming Festival and Tobago Jazz Experience. He also served as Project Manager for CARIFESTA XIV in 2019, helping bring the extraordinary creative energy of the Caribbean to an international audience.

THE MAN BEHIND THE MUSIC

In 1984, he founded the Signal Hill Alumni Choir (SHAC), transforming it into one of the region’s most respected musical ambassadors. Under his direction, the choir has traveled internationally, carrying the sound, spirit and cultural pride of Trinidad and Tobago to audiences around the world. Arnold has also conducted choirs, mentored musicians and conducted music workshops throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. His dedication to education and artistic excellence have remained a defining feature of his extraordinary career.

Arnold’s contributions have earned him numerous distinctions, including the prestigious Hummingbird Medal Gold, the Cacique Award, recognition from CARIFESTA, the New York SUNSHINE Award for Excellence in Music and Culture, and designation as one of the Fifty Distinguished Alumni of the University of the West Indies. He has also earned professional credentials from Berklee College of Music, where he received a certificate in Harmony and Arrangement. Today, he continues his academic and cultural journey as a doctoral candidate in Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies.

AND NOW… ST. MAARTEN!

The SUNSHINE Awards has always been about celebrating individuals whose talent, determination and contributions have helped make the Caribbean and the world a brighter place. John Arnold embodies that mission. His appearance at the 38th Annual SUNSHINE Awards brings together two powerful forces: the celebration of Caribbean excellence and the preservation of Caribbean culture. Guests can expect an extraordinary evening of music, inspiration, recognition, entertainment and cultural pride, featuring some of the region’s finest talent.

From the first note to the final ovation, the evening promises to be one that St. Maarten—and the Caribbean—will remember. THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

This is more than an awards show. This is Caribbean excellence on one stage.

This is culture. This is music. This is history – AND JOHN ARNOLD IS BRINGING THE JAZZ!

Tickets for the 38th Annual Sunshine Awards are now on sale and can be purchased online through SXMExperience.sx, St. Maarten’s secure online event ticketing platform, where attendees can conveniently reserve their seats and receive instant confirmation. The platform provides a safe and seamless ticket purchasing experience for both residents and visitors.

For those who prefer to purchase tickets in person, tickets are also available at the ALEEZE Box Office, offering personalized customer service and assistance with ticket sales.

St. Maarten—get ready to feel the rhythm, experience the artistry and celebrate the brilliance of one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished musical treasures. The 38th Annual SUNSHINE Awards is going to be HOT! Be there when the Caribbean celebrates its own.