37th Jazz Plaza festival
Havana, January 24 (RHC)-- The 37th Jazz Plaza International Festival concluded over the weekend after six days of an intense program that included concerts, recitals, conferences, exchanges and collaborations between Cuban and foreign creators, young talents and established artists alike –all of them great jazz exponents.
One of the closing event was the concert Sunday night by celebrated saxophonist Germán Velasco and his guests at Teatro Nacional de Cuba.
Guest artists included also acclaimed musicians: flutist José Luis Cortés –leader of NG La Banda, saxophonist César López, Cuban Sax Quintet, flutist Orlando Valle ‘Maraca’, saxophonist and flutist Javier Zalba, bassist Jorge Reyes, guitarist Héctor Quintana, percussionist Adel González and the Big Band.
Highlights of this 37th edition of Jazz Plaza included the show ‘Del Blues a la Timba-de la Timba al Jazz’ by showman and founder of Jazz Plaza Bobby Carcassés and his Big BandAfrojazz, featuring also saxophonist Cesar López, pianist Roberto Carcassés, percussionist Edgar Martínez, guitarist Octavio Kotan, violinist Tanmy López, pianist Miguel Ángel García, flutist Belinda Guerra and violinist Laura Valdivia.
The winner of the National Music Prize in 2012, Bobby Carcásses premiered the tune ‘Guajira Blues’, featuring violinist and singer Tammy López; pianist Roberto Carcásses, saxophonist César López and singer Zule Guerra.
The Leonardo Acosta in memoriam Colloquium held sessions, in the framework of the festival, with conferences, panel discussions, presentation of audiovisuals and the release of albums and specialized publications.
The academic event began with a tribute to trumpet player José Miguel Crego (El Greco), who died late last year. His improvisation skills were highlighted by also renowned trumpet players Roberto García, Julio Padrón, Yasek Manzano and Mayquel González.
Other highlights of the 37th edition of Jazz Plaza included a concert by acclaimed American saxophonist Donald Harrison, together with Joven Jazz Band conducted by maestro Joaquín Betancourt –the winner of the National Music Prize in 2019--, and another concert by Congolese multi-instrumentalist Ray Lema, accompanied by French pianist Laurent de Wilde.
The 37th Jazz Plaza International Festival paid tribute also to guitarist and composer César Portillo de la Luz on his 100th birthday anniversary, the 95th birthday anniversary of pianist Numidia Vaillant, and the 85th birthday of percussionist and singer Oscar Valdés.
