JAZZ FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE TROPICAL SETTING OF THE RIVIERA MAYA NOVEMBER
25th TO 28th
Montreal, October 22nd,
2009
International jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Spyro Gyra, Al
Jarreau, Pat Martino and others will converge on the white sandy beaches of
Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya November 25thto 28th for the region?s seventh
annual jazz festival, one of the premiere international jazz music events in
the Americas. The event will be free of charge.
Inaugurating the festival on Playa del Carmen?s MamitasBeach on Wednesday, November 25th
will be such jazz greats as The Royal Band; Colin Hunter, known for his soft
voice and sophisticated and energetic performances; and Aguamala, the local
host band characterized by a mix of funk and rock influences. Continuing into
the evening will be Sacbé, led by the Toussaint brothers, creators and
directors of the Riviera Maya?s Jazz Festival.
On Thursday, November 26th, the festival will
begin with Na?rimbo?s jazz versions of popular Mexican music, followed by
innovative Mexican pianist and composer Mark Aanderud. Other performances
will include Juan Alzate?s mix of jazz and African rhythms and an appearance
by Enrique Nery, musical director of such figures as Luis Miguel, Monna Bell,
Carlos Lico and Emmanuel who has also worked with jazz artists Justor
Almario, Oscar Stagnaro and Clarence Penn.
Jim Beard, who has toured the world with jazz greats John
Scofield, Pat Metheny, John McLughlin and Wayne Shorter, will open on Friday,
November 27th. Two of Beard?s albums have been elected top-ten
jazz albums by Jazziz Magazine Critics. Jim Beard will be followed by jazz
legend Spyro Gyra, whose 2001 "In Modern Times" album stayed on the Billboard
charts for 64 weeks.The day will end
with Brazilian icon Sergio Mendes? presentation of his new album, "Encanto."
On November 28th, Playa del Carmen will heat up
once again with even hotter jazz acts, beginning with Pat Martino, considered
one of the best jazz guitarists of all time. Martino?s reputation is
particularly remarkable devastating surgery in 1980 where he lost his memory
and had to learn how to play the guitar again. Al Jarreau, the only musician
in history to ever win three Grammys in three different categories and who
has recorded more than a dozen albums in the past 30 years, will also
perform.
The festival closes with a performance by music legend
Herbie Hancock who will perform an array of musical genres such as jazz,
R&B, acoustic and electric.
The Mexico
Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state
governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico's
tourism attractions and destinations nationally and internationally. Created
in 1999, the MTB is Mexico?s
tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the
private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America,
Europe, Asia and Latin America.
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