Six days of jazz in the Cuban capital, from morning to night, filled theaters and outdoor venues with concerts, colloquiums, conferences, book and phonographic presentations, strictly adhering to COVID-19 precautionary measures. Jazz Plaza 2022, the 37th edition of the event, took place January 18-23.
Vitico Rodriguez, president of the organizing committee, commented: "The Cuban public and musicians were eager for Jazz Plaza to take place this year. It will not be as we had initially thought, but at least live concerts could be presented and the unique interaction that jazz on stage provides could be enjoyed."
The inaugural gala was held in Avellaneda Hall on the 18th, featuring two essential figures: Bobby Carcassés and Nachito Herrera. The first, the island’s most complete, veteran jazzman; the second, an exceptional pianist who has developed a successful artistic career in the United States and, at the same time, promotes dialogue between the two peoples and advocates an end to the blockade.
Bobby brought focus to the show “From blues to timba and from timba to jazz,” and Nachito, with a band composed of Cuban stars, presented a taste of what was to come in one of the highlights of the festival, the final concert, “Cuba vive,” January 23, on the La Punta esplanade, at the mouth of the Havana Bay.
On the 16th, a prelude was offered by the National Symphony Orchestra, with Enrique Perez Mesa and Brazilian guest Joao Mauricio Galindo conducting a concert featuring Congolese composer and pianist Ray Lema.
Jazz Plaza events in Havana were held in the National Theater’s two halls, the Bertolt Brecht Cultural Center and the America Theater. Musicians from the United States, France, Argentina, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden, Finland and Belgium participated, but undoubtedly most awaited was the coming together of outstanding Cuban artists from several different generations.
The Leonardo Acosta in memoriam International Colloquium, held at the Vedado Cultural Center, during mornings and afternoons, Tuesday through Sunday, featured tributes to Portillo de la Luz, El Greco, Jose Dos Santos, Pucho Lopez, Numidia Vaillant, and the Cuban Orchestra of Modern Music; plus record presentations, reviews of thematic publications and panel discussions dedicated to analysis and prospects for jazz in today's cultural industries.
In the interest of promoting, marketing and positioning jazz and Cuban music in general, an interactive forum entitled “Primera Línea” was held to provide businesses and event organizers the opportunity to learn firsthand about the island’s musical life and discuss experiences on international circuits.
Indicative of the importance of this event, as part of Jazz Plaza 2022, was the presence in Cuba of German promoter Christoph Borkowsky, president of Womex festivals, specializing in the international promotion of what has come to be called World Music, as well as Anglo-Argentine Dominic Miller, who, in addition to being a guitar virtuoso, has developed an extensive career as a producer.
