Report by Oscar Montagut – From Bogotá, Colombia – June 19th, 2011
With a concert by the 2011 Grammy award winner, Chucho Valdes, the “Circuito de Jazz de Colombia” will be launched in Bogotá, Colombia, on June 23, at 8:00 p.m, at the Jorge Eliecer Gaitán Theatre. The Jazz Colombian Alliance is a group of the most prestigious jazz festivals including Festival de Jazz de Cali Ajazzgo, Festival de Jazz de Barranquilla Barranquijazz, Festival de Jazz de Medellín Medejazz, Festival de Jazz Teatro Libre de Bogotá, Festival Jazz al Parque, Festival Sevijazz de Sevilla and Festival de Jazz de Manizales.
The creation of this great network of jazz festivals is dedicated to working relentlessly for jazz lovers, musicians and the same festivals’ organization. This “circuito” is a strategic alliance that provides a unique space where many artists can share knowledge, experiences and talent which can inspire new audiences. The main goal of this cultural alliance is to keep contributing to the promotion of jazz music in Colombia with a persistent and exciting calendar each year, in the principal cities of the country. This great jazz event will turn Colombia into one of the most interesting jazz destinations in Latin America. Musical legends will visit Colombia in September to be part of a two-week jazz party: John Scofield, Justo Almario, Terence Blanchard, Oscar Hernández, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Diego El Cigala are just a few of the legendary artists in the exciting concert calendar this year.
The Grammy Winner
There was no other way to launch this alliance than to bring one of the most talented pianists in the last two decades to the centre stage. Jesús Dionisio Valdés, well-known as Chucho Valdes, is the international artist whose unrivalled talent will launch this promising network in Colombia.
After eleven years, the Latin jazz icon, Chucho Valdes will be back in Bogotá with the virtuous Afro-Cuban Messengers to share his Grammy award-winning new album “Chucho’s Steps”, according to him, his best and most complete work in years.
Jacobo Vélez and La Matatigrezz
In addition, the dynamic artists Jacobo Vélez and La Matatigrezz are the Colombian musicians scheduled to perform in this jazz event. This quintet plays songs composed by Mr. Veléz and based on traditional Colombian music and some elements of cool jazz. Jacobo is a talented composer and saxophonist from the city of Cali, the other musicians include Holman Alvarez (piano), Jorge Sepúlveda (drums), Juan Manuel Toro, (double bass), and Pavel Zuzaeta (trompet).
CIRCUITO DE JAZZ DE COLOMBIA CALENDAR 2011
www.circuitodejazzcolombia.com
XI FESTIVAL AJAZZGO ARTISTS
Cali, September 5-11
- John Scofield (USA)
- Diego El Cigala (Spain)
- Robbie Ameen (USA)
- Deborah Carter (USA – Netherlands)
- Bobby Carcasses & Afrojazz (Cuba)
- Karlos Rotzen (France)
- Edy Martínez (Colombia)
- Luigi Cinque (Italy)
- Jaime Henao (Colombia)
- Carolina Calvache (Colombia)
- El Colectivo (Colombia)
- Andrés Ortiz (Colombia-Suiza)
XXIII FESTIVAL DE JAZZ DEL TEATRO LIBRE ARTISTS
Bogotá, September 1 – 10
- Billy Branch (USA)
- Greg Diamond (USA)
- Justo Almario & Cartagena Caribe Big Band (Colombia)
- Terence Blanchard (USA)
- Sebastian Schunke (Germany)
- Roberto Fonseca (Cuba)
- Bettye Lavette (USA)
VIII FESTIVAL SEVIJAZZ ARTISTS
Sevilla (Valle), September 2 – 4
- En Ningún Lugar (Colombia)
- Deborah Carter (USA – Netherlands)
- El Colectivo (Colombia)
XV FESTIVAL MEDEJAZZ ARTISTS
Medellín, September 1 – 10
- Robbie Ameen (USA)
- Diego El Cigala (Spain)
- Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II (USA-Puerto Rico)
- Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba)
- Deborah Carter (USA-Netherlands)
- Luigi Cinque (Italy)
- Siguarajazz and Los Reyes del Ritmo with Giovanni Hidalgo, “EL negro” Hernández and Samuel Torres. (Colombia-Cuba-Puerto Rico)
- Grupo Triaje (Colombia)
FESTIVAL BARRANQUIJAZZ ARTISTS
Barranquilla, September 7 – 11
- Roberto Fonseca (Cuba)
- Terence Blanchard (USA)
- Seis del Solar with Oscar Hernández
- Diego El Cigala (Spain)
- Stefon Harris (USA)
- Eddie Palmieri and La Perfecta II (USA-Puerto Rico)
- Deborah Carter (USA-Netherlands)
***
Oscar Montagut graduated in journalism and education in Colombia. He also finished his postgraduate program in Creative Writing in Canada. Currently Oscar works as an English teacher, translator, and freelance writer in Bogotá. He is a music collector, explorer and promoter of World Music. Exploring about music is his passion, knowing the history and evolution of this art is part of his life. Latin jazz, Salsa, Bossanova and any afro rhythms are some of his musical interests.
Contact: oscarmontagut@hotmail.com
