Latin America begins 2025 with three prestigious jazz festivals: Punta del Este, Panama and Havana

 

The Latin American jazz tour starts at the El Sosiego farm, Punta del Este, its permanent headquarters, with this edition it will celebrate 29 years of its creation. 

Francisco Yobino and Paquito D'Rivera, as always, are in charge of the organization of this event that is characterized by the combination of jazz, nature and the stars.

The artistic-tourist event will bring together illustrious musicians such as: Elio Villafranca, Diego Urcola, Brianna Thomas, Cliff Korman, Camila Cortina and Maestro Paquito D'Rivera among others.

Stars have previously participated in this Festival: Clark Terry, Benito Gonzalez, James Moody, Alon Yavnai, Michael Brecker, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, who have given it a place in the world of jazz and Latin jazz.

This is the beautiful stage that annually receives musicians and audiences eager for good live music!

With great enthusiasm Panama Jazz Festival celebrates its 22nd edition. How quickly time has passed and this event has achieved solidity with the help of Master Pianist Danilo Perez and Patricia Zarate.

Last year the famous Panamanian drummer Billy Cobham was honored and now the honors will go to Princess Orelia Benskina, pioneer of Panamanian jazz.

Invited to this celebration are: Grammy winner Ledisi, sensational drummer Terry Lyne Carrington, renowned acoustic and electric bassist John Patitucci, saxophonist Everette Harp, Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Master Pianist Danilo Perez and more.

The musical events will be at the Ateneo Theater and the participation of the new generation of Panamanian musicians creates great expectations.

The month of January 2025 closes with the 40th edition of the Habana Jazz Plaza Festival.

Despite all the inconveniences of the largest of the Antilles, national and international musicians have been able to endure this historic Festival, now under the musical direction of pianist Roberto Fonseca.

In the past here are some of the artists who have performed at this renowned Festival: Arturo O'Farrill, Jorge Reyes, Alain Perez, Jane Bunnett, Bobby Sanabria, Bellita and Jazz Tumbata, Los Van Van, Benjamin Lapidus, Nestor Torres, Chucho Valdes, Steve Turre, Dave Valentin, Jorge Pardo, Roy Hargrove, Bobby Carcasses and more.

The Festival will have three venues: Santa Clara, Havana and Santiago de Cuba.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

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If you want to know more about Latin Jazz, its musicians and recordings, I invite you to read or consult "The Bible of Latin Jazz" (available on Amazon) by the writer and journalist Luis Raul Montell.