RSSCuba, a very popular tourist destination among the Caribbean islands, is equally popular for the valuable contributions it has made to the world of music. Cuban music has carved a niche for itself in the world of music, capturing the minds of thousands of music lovers across the globe. Jazz and the Cuban son, which is the ancestor of modern day Salsa, are two among the most reputed music forms to which Cuba has made noteworthy contributions.
Taking about Jazz, it is a genre of music which is believed to have originated from among the African-American people who resided in the southern regions of the United States of America. This genre showcases a marvellous blend of music traditions from Europe and Africa. The increased popularity of this music genre has paved way for the birth of a large number of Jazz music festivals, one of the most reputed being the Havana International Jazz Festival.
Read on to know about Havana International Jazz Festival.
Havana International Jazz Festival
Born in 1978 as a small Jazz concert held by Bobby Carcasses and few other renowned Cuban Jazz musicians, the Havana International Jazz Festival, is now a rage among the jazz music lovers across the world. The event was held for the first time at the Casa de la Cultura de Plaza which is situated in downtown Havana.
Since the event had its inception at the Plaza, it is also known under the name of International Jazz Festival Plaza. The event, also known as Cuba Jazz Festival, is an annual event held on the pleasant outdoor terrace of the Plaza – an area which hosts other jam sessions as well as concerts.
Gaining confidence from the success of this initial venture, in 1979, a Jazz concert was held at the same place showcasing some really popular artisits like Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Charlie Haden, Roy Hargrove, Jack DeJohnette, Danilo Perez as well as eminent pianist Chucho Valdes, who went to become regular performers at this annual event.
Later in 1996, Chucho Valdes took over as the artistic director and President of this event, while Alexis Vazquez Aguilera was given the responsibility of being the vice president. The event, which kicked off as a small concert, has now expanded to such a level that it is held every year across the numerous concert halls of downtown Havana, along with the spontaneous street jam sessions along Malecon.
Some of the artists who had been part of the Havana Jazz Festival 2009 include Chucho Valdes, Michael Legrand, Mayra Caridad Valdes, Bobby Carcases, Belita & Jazztumbata, Cesar Lopez & the Habana Ensemble, Francia, Maraca & Otra Vision, Roberto Carcases, Javier Salva & Temperamento, Diakara, Ernan Lopez-Nussa Trio, Peruchin, Elmer Ferrer, Jorge Reyes, Pasaje Abierto, Gala Mayor, Rembert Duarte, Cubajazz, Lazaro Morua, Las Canelas, Conga Latina, Lazaro Valdez & Son Jazz, Chispa & Complices, Giraldo Piloto & Klimax, Rogelio Napoles, Yasek Manzano, Harold Lopez Nussa, Tamara Castaneda, Alejandro Vargas & Oriental Cuartel, Sexto Sentido, Rolando Luna, Roberto Martinez, Alfredo Rodriguez, Luis Monge & Swing en 4, Guido Lucarelli & Negras Musas, Mauricio Torres, Jump4joy, Daniel Martina, Ernesto Jodos, Sergio Monroy, Lex Estet, Darwin Silvia Trio, Jazz Trunkul, Gaspare Di Lieto and George Haslam.
The 26th edition of Havana International Jazz Festival will be held from December 16 to December 19, 2010.
No other place in the world, other than this warm and sunny Caribbean island that has a rich and exquisite musical heritage, could be the ideal destination for such a marvellous event.
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