Havana, January 15 (RHC)--  The 35th edition of Jazz Plaza kicked off Tuesday night with a packed house at the National Theater in the Cuban capital.

The Showman of Cuba, Bobby Carcasses, had the opening act. Joined by his band Afrojazz with special guests, flutist Rolando Valle “Maraca”, sax players Javier Zalva and Cesar Lopez, and Roberto Carcasses Jr. on piano, among others. The founder of the Festival played some classics of his repertoire, including his very Cuban renditions of Night in Tunisia and Mac the Knife.

The 81-year-old musician and sax player Javier Zalva received special recognition by the Festival’s Organizing Committee for their outstanding contribution to the event.

The evening was completed with the act of performers from New Orleans. The Soul Rebels and their guests, Trombone Shorty Foundation, Big Chief Monk Voudreaux, and Tank and the Bangas, were joined on the stage by Cuban emerging star Cimafunk.

Building bridges between Cuba and the United States, some sixty musicians based in the neighboring country, including guitarists Stanley Jordan, sax players Bill Evans, and Miguel Zenon, are on the island.

The Festival continues this Wednesday with the inauguration of the Leonardo Acosta theoretical event, and performances on many of its venues in Havana, and in the Eastern city of Santiago de Cuba.

Some of the day’s highlights include a tribute to the iconic Cuban band Irakere.

Jazz Plaza 2020 will conclude on Sunday.