THE ORIGINAL Wailers, featuring guitarists Junior Marvin and Al Anderson, are one of the main acts for the May 2-10 St Lucia Jazz Festival.

The band is one of two units with former members of Bob Marley's band currently touring. The other includes original bass player Aston 'Family Man' Barrett.

Anderson, an American, first played alongside Marley on the 1974 Natty Dread album. He also recorded and toured with Peter Tosh and Lauryn Hill.

Marvin, a Jamaican, was raised in London where he first met Marley during the mid-1970s. He first recorded with the reggae superstar on the 1977 Exodus album.

The Original Wailers appear on May 7. Monty Alexander's Jazz and Roots Ensemble with Dean Fraser and Shaggy are the other Jamaican acts for the St Lucia Jazz Festival this year; Alexander and his band are scheduled for May 5 while Shaggy performs on May 8 at Pigeon Island.