The first week of October, Venezuela will celebrate one of the most prestigious festivals in their country, Barquisimeto International Jazz Festival 2011. The city of Barquisimeto, province of Lara (Venezuela), will again be the centre of cultural musical and pedagogical events with the sixth edition of this festival. The foundation, which has the same name as the festival, will offer jazz lovers a great list of artists who will participate in concerts, lectures, photographic shows, jazz cinema, formal classes and, even, bursaries for students.
Barquisimeto International Jazz Festival, an Encounter about Music and Passion
Report by Oscar Montagut – From Bogotá, Colombia – Sept 21st, 2011
Free Concerts
As it was before in other editions, the festival has organized free concerts in the four corners of the city. The opening concert of the festival will be played by the Barquisimeto Big Band Jazz, at Gran Hotel Trinitarias Suites Great Room, on October 1st, at 5 p.m.
On Sunday, October 2nd, at 11 a.m, Venezuelan people will have the chance to listen to Edilson Sabogal’s quintet (from Merida) at the Juan Carmona alternative room. The same day, at 3 p.m, at the Metropolis Mall, the Trad Jazz quartet conducted by Ramón Grillet will show its work. Three hours later, Gaélica, the recognized world music-style band, will play at Sambil Barquisimeto.
On Wednesday, October 5, at 5 pm, Ensemble Percujazz, conducted by Roberto Perez, will play at the Paris Mall. The same day, at 9 p.m, Wismer Jiménez along with his quintet will perform at the Tiffany hotel.
Three days of Galas
The main concerts will be divided into three shows where local and international artists will interchange talent and knowledge about jazz music.
The Opening Show: Venezuela and the United States
The first show will be on Friday, October 7th, at the Juares Theater with the Carmelo Medina Quartet from Venezuela. Mr. Medina is the local artist who will debut these main shows for the festival. Mr. Medina has participated as a guitar player with some of the most brilliant Venezuelan artists like Ilan Chester, Franco De Vita, and Daiquiri among others. He is currently a member of the band Guaco. The other band for this night will be the Jeff Berlin Trio consisting of Scott Henderson (guitar), Dennis Chambers (drums) and Jeff Berlin (bass). This trio is a profound and intelligent jazz project. Berlin is considered a genius player who improvises with the bass, creating fluid and beautiful lines. Berlin’s partners are recognized musicians in the jazz scene for their talent and virtuosity with their instruments.
Second Show: France and United States
Franck Amsallem and Mélanie Dahan will be the duet to play on October 8th at the same theatre and time as the first main show. Mr. Amsallem is a virtous pianist who has been recognized for more than 30 years presenting his talent in many European jazz festivals. Melanie is an excellent singer who studied at jazz schools in Paris and who has won important musical competitions. The second artists for the second night will be the New Orleans Jason Marsalis Quartet. Jason is the youngest brother of the world-wide recognized trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. This great drummer and vibraphonist will play with William Goble (bass), David Potter (drums) and Austin Johnson (piano).
The Closing Show: Spain, Argentina and Holland
On Sunday, October 9th, at 5 pm, the Colina Miralta Sambeat Trio from Spain, and Tango Extremo from Argentina will close the festival in Barquisimeto. This Spanish trio includes Javier Colina (double-bass player who played with Cigala and Bebo Valdés), Perico Sambeat (saxophonist who played with Brad Mehldau and Pat Metheny), and Marc Miralta (drummer who played with Tete Montoliu and Art Farmer). This band’s music is infused with flamenco, African rhythms, latin and jazz. To close the night people will enjoy the music of The Holland-Argentinian band consisting of Tanya Schaap (violin), Ben van den Dungen, (saxophonist), Rob Van Kreeveld (piano), Matias Pedrana (bandoneón), and Adinda Meertins (double-bass). This band is an original ensemble of musicians who mix tango sounds with jazz music.
Classes and Musical Bursaries
From October 4th to 9th some local and international artists will promote academic events like lectures, classes and meetings for those who are interested. For example, the Professor Luis Enrique Silva will host a lecture about the history of popular music. On the other hand, members of the Children Symphonic Orquestra Divina Pastora de Santa Rosa will attend a workshop about jazz for children.
This year the organizers of the Barquisimeto International jazz festival will grant a bursary to five students, this bursary will allow them to take musical courses in the Brazilian city of Curitiba. In addition, the Jazz Workshop of Caracas will grant six bursaries for people to engage in jazz seminars. Finally the EMMAT (Modern School of Music, Audio and Technology) in Bogota will grant 15 bursaries in order to help Venezuelan musicians improve their musical knowledge.
Barquisimeto International Jazz Festival is a young jazz event that promotes dialog between artists from different hemispheres and cultures. This musical meeting is a perfect opportunity to learn about universal music and discover its possible road to creativity and playing. Dear reader, if you want to know more about details of this Venezuelan jazz festival go to www.barquisimetojazz.com.
