2025 International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert - Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi: Arturo Sandoval, Etienne Charles, Melissa Aldana and Danilo Perez shone

International Jazz Day 2025, celebrated on April 30th, saw a global celebration of jazz music and its impact on peace and intercultural dialogue. The event, organized by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, featured thousands of events worldwide, including a global concert in Abu Dhabi, the Global Host City. The celebration aimed to connect communities, foster understanding, and showcase jazz as a unifying force. 

At this central event of the International Jazz Day celebrated yesterday, April 30, 2025, in the United Arab Emirates, the note was given by the legendary Arturo Sandoval (Cuba/USA) -even singing-, the also trumpeter Etienne Charles (Trinidad & Tobago) and the pianist Danilo Perez (Panama).

International Jazz Day involved thousands of events worldwide, from intimate performances in small towns to large-scale concerts in major cities. These events included masterclasses, jam sessions, panel discussions, and educational workshops, reflecting the diverse impact of jazz.

The extraordinary Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana gave a master class on "The Power of Transcriptions in Jazz" (she spoke in Spanish). Here are the links:

https://youtu.be/psFNaIf2g9U?si=GQFdcprWeC3KrvFa

The events and educational initiatives aimed to inspire new generations of musicians and foster a love for jazz. 

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note:The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by writer, musicologist, and educator Luis Raúl Montell is available on Amazon.

2025 NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert: CHUCHO VALDES!

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), established in Congress in 1965, is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.

The NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship is the highest honor that our nation bestows on jazz artists. Each year since 1982, the program has elevated to its ranks a select number of living legends who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of jazz.

Taking place at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater and hosted by Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran, the concert feature performances by and in honor of the 2025 NEA Jazz Masters—Marshall Allen, Marilyn Crispell, Gary Giddins, and Chucho Valdés.

Thus, pianist, composer and bandleader Chucho Valdes joins Dizzy Gillespie (1982), Paquito D'Rivera (2005), Ray Barretto (2006), Candido Camero (2008) and Eddie Palmieri (2013) as those recognized to date with this valuable award.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by writer and musicologist Dr. Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

The Global Celebration of International Jazz Day 2025 in Abu Dhabi (UNESCO City of Music)

 

Led by iconic pianist Herbie Hancock and hosted by Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, this concert will bring together an extraordinary lineup of renowned jazz, latin jazz, blues, classical, and hip- hop artists from around the world. Among those set to perform: Arqam Al Abri (UAE), John Beasley (USA), Dee Dee Bridgewater (USA), A Bu (China), Terri Lyne Carrington (USA), Kurt Elling (USA), Ruthie Foster (USA), José James (USA), Rhani Krija (Morocco), John McLaughlin (UK), Hélène Mercier (France/Canada), Marcus Miller (USA), Linda May Han Oh (Australia), John Pizzarelli (USA), Dianne Reeves (USA), Etienne Charles (Trinidad & Tobago), Arturo Sandoval (USA), Naseer Shamma (Iraq), Danilo Pérez (Panama), and Varijashree Venugopal (India). Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 2025 edition of International Jazz Day 2025 will be celebrated in more than 190 countries on 30 April, with Abu Dhabi selected as the Global Host City. Organized by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, this celebration will feature concerts and educational and cultural initiatives.

Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), a UNESCO Creative City of Music, will serve as a vibrant center of this worldwide celebration. A five-week, citywide series of jazz performances, education programmes and community events will take place in the city, including the internationally broadcast International Jazz Day 2025 All-Star Global Concert on April 30^th at Etihad Arena, the region’s largest indoor entertainment venue.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by renowned writer, musicologist, educator, and specialist in this musical genre, Dr. Luis Raul Montell, is available on Amazon.

Aruán Ortiz receives major award from American Academy of Arts and Letters!

Pianist and composer Aruán Ortiz is one of two “composers of extraordinary gifts” awarded with the Goddard Lieberson Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Composer Shawn Okpebholo also received this fellowship as part of the 2025 Awards in Music honoring 17 established and emerging composers.

“I am humbled and honored to be chosen for this award,” says Ortiz. “The American Academy of Arts and Letters is such an important organization and to be recognized in this way by some of the most esteemed and accomplished musicians in our nation is hugely inspiring.”

Since 1942, music awards have been selected annually by Arts and Letters members to recognize and support fellow artists. The 300 members nominate candidates for the awards, and a rotating committee of composers selects the winners. This year, the award committee members were Christopher Theofanidis (chair), Libby Larsen, Annea Lockwood, Shulamit Ran, David Sanford, Wadada Leo Smith, and Melinda Wagner.

The music awards will be presented alongside the architecture, art, and literature awards at the American Academy of Arts and Letters’s annual Ceremonial in May.

Aruán Ortiz
Aruán Ortiz is an award-winning composer and pianist whose work seamlessly blends contemporary classical music, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, Latin Jazz, spontaneous composition, and improvisation. Recognized as “one of the most creative and original composers in the world” (The Art Music Lounge), Ortiz has received prestigious honors, including the 2024 Guggenheim Fellowship, the Doris Duke Impact Award (2014), and the 2024 Hermitage Fellowship. His compositions span chamber ensembles, orchestras, dance companies, and film, continuously pushing musical boundaries while embodying and redefining the intersection of contemporary classical, creative music and Afro-diasporic traditions.
Ortiz's multidisciplinary artistic vision has led to the premiere of projects such as Reimagining Tropiques: Then and Now at Constellation in Chicago (2024), Flamenco Criollo at the Flamenco Biënnale Nederland (2021), and Pastor’s Paradox at the Latino Theater in Dallas (2022). He has released several albums with Intakt Records, including his solo effort Cub(an)ism (2017), awarded five stars by DownBeat Magazine, and Inside Rhythmic Falls (2020), featuring master drummer Andrew Cyrille, praised as “a narrative of deep human emotion” (Morning Star Online).
His works have been performed internationally at renowned venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lincoln Center, and Southbank Centre (UK). Key chamber works include Episodes in an Unforeseen Departure (2023), premiered by the Harlem Chamber Players at the Schomburg Center, and Piedras de Ida y Vuelta (2023), commissioned by the Contemporary Music Ensemble Ipse. Ortiz’s music is lauded for its structural complexity and its innovative fusion of serialism, aleatory techniques, and avant-garde improvisation.

Videos: <iframe title="vimeo-player" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/761806294?h=edbcd3a5c8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

https://youtu.be/6a7XLbbRaGg?si=qP86uFvGQ1hiASrU

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1324611415421493

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note:The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by writer, musicologist, and educator Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

Jazz and World Music Festivals in The Caribbean - Second quarter 2025

The Caribbean is a vibrant tapestry of culture, music, and celebration, and 2025 is set to be a year filled with incredible jazz and music festivals that highlight the region's rich traditions and diverse sounds. From the soulful roots of Jamaica's Rebel Salute to the pulsating rhythms of deep house in St. Lucia's ZEMI Festival, the wonderful jazz festivals, including regional and international stars, each event offers a unique experience for those seeking to immerse themselves in the heart and soul of the Caribbean. Whether you're drawn to the electrifying energy of Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival or the laid-back, intimate vibe of the Virgin Islands Jam Fest, there's something for every music lover to enjoy. As you plan your 2025 festival calendar, get ready to explore stunning island destinations, dance to the beats of world-renowned artists, and create unforgettable memories in paradise.

Dominica Jazz 'N Creole Festival

St. George, Roseau, Dominica

April 19 - May 4

Fort Shirley, Cabrits National Park, Portsmouth

Artists: Etienne Charles, Abia Israel, Shalina, Etana, ATN Charles, Marie Claire Giro and more...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BekDdpvdB/

Tobago Jazz Experience 2025

Throughout Tobago, Scarborough . Trinidad & Tobago

April 23

Artists: Various Artists

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16SbecrtZA/

St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2025

Castries, St. Lucia

April 30 - May 10

Pigeon Island National Landmark

Artists: Beenie Man & Bounty Killer, Young Breda, Tabou Combo, Barbara Cadet, Richard Payne, Eric Marienthal, Karen Briggs, Lady Lava, Naomi Raine, Matteo Mancuso, Jazzmeia Horn, Etienne Charles, John Legend, Earth, Wind and Fire...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19V2XtZ9qq/

Aruba Soul Music Festival

Oranjestad, Aruba

May 21-26

Palm Beach, Aruba

Artists: Charlie Wilson, Cedric The Entertainer, Muni Long, Pretty Ricki, Chris Spencer, Doug E. Fresh, Gee Money, Frank Ski.

https://www.tiktok.com/@debthetravelhacker/video/7374512797905849643?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Out of this World Music Festival

Grand Cayman, Cayman Island

May 31

Camana Bay

Artists: Shenseea, Ludacris

https://youtu.be/V3FBZUhdFnk?si=tTmZR3WgPVJBUZRQ

St. Kitts Music Festival 2025

Basseterre, St. Kitts

June 26 - 28, 2025

Artists: Abajonai, Abby Dallas, Abiyah Yisrael, Adahzeh, Addis Pablo, Africa Unite, Agent Lexie, Akae Beka, Alaine, Alex Bass, Alicai Harley, Alozade, Angelica Mava, Aswad and more

https://youtu.be/71XzSDY51_Q

Cabaret Jazz Festival 

Cabarete, Dominican Republic

June 20 and 21, 2025

Artists: Various Artists

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHtVktauLkd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by writer, musicologist, educator, and radio host Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

Patois Records release Salsa de la Bahia Vol 3 : Renegade Queens

 

Salsa From The Bay, Vol 3: Renegade Queens

Track Listing

Disc 1:

• Renegade Queens - We Were Born to Drum
• Xiomara Torres - Me Quedo Contigo
• Mary Fettig - Take the RR Train
• Maria Marquez - La Lagrima
• The Blazing Redheads - Cosmo
• Lichi Fuentes - Momento
• Jackie Ryan with the Wayne Wallace Quintet - Love Walked In
• La Doña - Can't Eat Clout
• Sandy Cressman - Deixa O Amor Florescer (Let Love Flourish)
• Carolyn Brandy - Odie

Disc 2:

• Renegade Queens - La Mensajera
• Cocomama - Estoy Ahora en La Punta
• Kristen Strom - Moving Day
• Bobi Cespidés;the Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet - The Peanut Vendor
• Montclair Women's Big Band - Caravan
• Kat Parra - Por La Tu Puerta
• Falso Baiano - Frevo No Morrozinho
• Avotcja; The Electric Squeezebox Orchestra - Matter Is
• Key Elements - Samba Nova

COCOMAMA

Salsa De La Bahia Vol. 3: Renegade Queens is a groundbreaking double-CD anthology celebrating the often-overlooked brilliance of women in the San Francisco Bay Area's Latin Jazz music scene. Inspired by a 2000. The project explores the vital contributions of women artists to the hybrid nature of Bay Area Latin music.

MARIA MARQUEZ

For over 50 years, these pioneering women have led the way in artistic innovation and cross-cultural collaboration, despite navigating a male-dominated community. Through their music, they have championed racial integration, gender equality, and social empowerment while pushing back against sexism, cultural erasure, and the challenges of gentrification.

KAT PARRA

As described by San Francisco composer Wayne Wallace, "Everything we do here artistically is a hybrid...creating fresh new music because nobody has to stay in any one camp." This anthology shines a spotlight on the jaw-dropping talent, mentorship, and resilience of Bay Area women musicians and their fearless male allies, celebrating their solidarity and transformative contributions to the Afro-Latin music world.

LICHI FUENTES

Renegade Queens blends music, poetry, and lyrics to immerse audiences in a tidal wave of creativity and cultural shifts, challenging the Latin music world's "boy's club" mentality. More than a collection of songs, this project is a testament to the enduring artistry, heart, and grit of these women and their allies, inspiring change and empowering future generations of musicians.

SANDY CRESSMAN

The San Francisco Bay Area has long been a thriving hub for salsa and Latin jazz, nurtured by remarkable musicians such as Cal Tjader, Armando Peraza, Carlos Federico, the Escovedo brothers, John Santos, Roger Glenn, and many more. This dynamic community continues to grow, inspiring fresh musical innovations within the genre. — Wayne Wallace

Indeed, listening to this album is a breathtaking experience—it immerses us in an extraordinarily rich culture, one that captivates with its rhythms, vibrant colors, and profound melodic sensibility. The necessity of this double album is undeniable, and its carefully curated track order brilliantly aligns with the history of these musical traditions. The performances, executed with masterful artistry, are a testament to the depth and brilliance of the musicians involved.

BOBI CESPEDES

Writer, musicologist, journalist, and radio host Luis Raúl Montell, author of "The Bible of Latin Jazz," has always supported female artists of this wonderful musical genre and calls them "The Ladies of Latin Jazz.

JACKIE RYAN

Wayne Wallace's production, like the previous two, is fabulous, but the subtitles are completely off. They are princesses, beautiful, young, talented women. The queens are ugly and old.
The subtitle should be "Adorable Princesses.", said Luis Raul Montell.

MONTCLAIR WOMEN'S BIG BAND

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by writer, musicologist, and educator Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

Daniel Prim y Su Parampampan new CD "Home" (Afro-Venezuelan Jazz)

 

HOME

Musicians: Daniel Prim (drums, percussion and bandleader); Adam O'Farrill (trumpet); Juanma Trujillo (guitar); special guest: Manuel Marquez (percussion)

Tracks List: Se Va el Hombre; La Lavandera; Sirema; San Juan Tiene Congoja; Tonto Malembe; Dios Mio Dame un Dios, El Festejo; Malembe de Mendoza; The Tambor Salad

"Home" is Latin Grammy Award-winning drummer and percussionist Daniel Prim’s first album under his name, Daniel Prim y Su Parampampan. Daniel grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, where his friends and family gathered at each other’s homes to eat and play music into the night. Music became the rhythm and language of his childhood. Home invites listeners to join Daniel in the parties, or parampampans, where he first learned the folklore songs that weave through the album, breathing new love and life into the heart, soul and sounds of his homeland.

Adam O’Farrill, Juanma Trujillo, and Manuel Márquez collaborate with Daniel on the album, blending the Afro-Venezuelan traditions with improvisational jazz. Each track reimagines and transforms folklore songs, evoking a spirit of vibrancy and resilience.

Traditional Afro-Venezuelan songs feature tambor, melodic vocals, and sometimes other elements, such as the maracas. They are conversations constructed through beautiful melodies, which often take the form of question and answer. For this album, Daniel decided to bring those melodies and conversations alive, evoking the singer’s emotions and feelings via trumpet and guitar, alongside Daniel’s modified drum set. In this way, Daniel brings the music of his memories forward, while making sure the complex layers of its history are not left behind. Rich with the rhythms of the past and future, celestial traditions, and sublime moments, Daniel Prim y Su Parampampan encourages listeners to share in the joy, unity, and beauty of Venezuela, its music, and its people.

https://youtu.be/_If0qz9C1Qc?si=zh73gcJtS77i-NrP

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C1PAHmTeq/ 

Daniel Prim:

Daniel began his musical studies at José Reyna Music School when he was eleven. He continued his formal training at the Simón Bolívar Conservatory of Music, part of the National Youth and Children's Orchestras of Venezuela. Daniel has since toured across the Americas and Europe and taught master classes in Afro-Venezuelan music in Venezuela and at colleges such as Berklee College of Music. In 2020, Daniel was honored to play on PAUSA, Ricky Martin’s Billboard-topping EP, with collaborators Bad Bunny and Residente. PAUSA went on to win Best Pop Vocal Album in the 21st Annual Latin American Grammy Awards.

Along with Juan Diego Villalobos and Gabriel Chakarji, Daniel also formed Caracas Trio, which mixes Venezuelan roots music with contemporary jazz. Caracas Trio has performed across New York City, alongside acclaimed saxophonist Miguel Zenón, on NPR, and in residency at Black Cat in San Francisco. Daniel’s other highlights include being a featured percussionist at Bosphorus Cymbal Fest and playing drums and percussion at Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series for Ella Bric. Daniel currently lives in New York City and will be bringing Home to streaming services and live venues across the country in February 2024. 

              

                       

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The magnificent book "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by writer, journalist, and musicologist Luis Raul Montell is available in two volumes on Amazon.