JAZZ FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE TROPICAL SETTING OF THE RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO NOVEMBER 25 TO 28

06-29-2009

 

 

Celebration kicked off with complimentary warm-up concert on June 13 with Canadian Billboard star Gino Vannelli

 

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO (June 29, 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 25 to 28 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.

 

The celebration will kicked off with a complimentary warm-up concert in Playa del Carmen June 13, 2009 with Canadian jazz-influenced pop musician Gino Vannelli, seven of whose songs have graced the Billboard music charts.

 

Inaugurating the festival on Playa del Carmen’s Mamitas Beach on Wednesday, November 25 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 26, 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 shared the stage with Justo Almario, Oscar Stagnaro and Clarence Penn.

 

Grammy award-winning composer and musician Jim Beard, who has toured the world with jazz greats John Scofield, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin and Wayne Shorter, will open on Friday, November 27. Two of Beard’s albums have been elected top-ten jazz albums by Jazziz Magazine critics. 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 28, 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 considering he had to learn how to play the guitar again following a brain aneurysm. 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 music legend Herbie Hancock, who will perform an array of musical genres such as jazz, R&B, acoustic and electric.

 

For more information on the Jazz Festival, visit www.rivieramayajazzfestival.com.

 

About the Riviera Maya

 

Easily accessible from many cities throughout the U.S., the eighty-one mile stretch known as the Riviera Maya is situated in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico on the Caribbean side of the country’s Yucatan Peninsula. Beginning in Puerto Morelos, eleven miles south of Cancun International Airport, the Riviera Maya extends to Tulum, one of the most important archeological sites in the Mayan World. The region features uncrowded beaches, a vast network of underground rivers and wells, eco-archeological parks, golf courses, spas, shopping, gourmet dining and a range of accommodations to suit every lifestyle and budget, as well as many of Mexico’s most significant Mayan archeological sites. The Riviera Maya has received many travel recognitions, among them Top Destination in Mexico for five consecutive years by Travel Weekly (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008), the Crystal Apple Award 2008 for Best Destination of 2008 and One of the hottest beach destinations by Orbitz in 2008. For more information on the Riviera Maya visit www.rivieramaya.com.

 

###

[Back to Press Releases Main]