The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival celebrated its 19th year with five nights of free concerts Nov. 4-8 in the towns of Santiago, Sosua, Puerto Plata, and Cabarete. Presented by FEDUJAZZ and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, the free cultural event attracts the attendance of both locals and international visitors, enjoying a combined audience of 12,650 people for all five nights of concerts.
The Festival paid homage to several of its own beloved national treasures, including tributes to renowned Dominican saxophone players and composers/arrangers Juan Colón, Sandy Gabriel and Crispin Fernandez.
Artists for the 2015 Dominican Republic Jazz Festival included GRAMMY Award winners David Sanchez (Puerto Rico), John Patitucci (USA), and the GRAMMY Award nominee Pedrito Martinez Group, along with other outstanding talents Josean Jacobo (Dominican Republic), Roy Assaf Trio (Israel), Berklee Global Jazz Institute (USA), Javier Vargas and The Big Band Conservatory of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) with Special Guests Jim Kelly, Jim Odgren and Jason Camelio (USA). Additional prominent artists included Manuel Tejada (Dominican Republic), the Student Loan String Band (USA), Mario Canonge Trio (France) and Pengbian Sang and Retro Jazz (Dominican Republic).
The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival will celebrate its 20th edition in 2016, and festival dates have been announced as follows:
November 8, 2016 – Santo Domingo
November 9, 2016 – Santiago
November 10, 2016 – Puerto Plata
November 11 & 12 – Cabarete
This is the first year that the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival will include a show in the nation’s capital, Santo Domingo.
The 19th Dominican Republic Jazz Festival was presented by FEDUJAZZ and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. Sponsors included Ron Macorix, JetBlue, the United States Embassy, Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Gratereaux Delva & Associates Law Firm, Sea Horse Ranch Luxury Resort, Ultravioleta Boutique Residences, Millennium Resort & Spa, Casa Linda, the Municipality of Sosua, Cibao Recycling and Ban Reservas.
Watch the highlight video from the final concert of the Festival held in Cabarete, with Mario Canonge, Pengbian Sang & Retro Jazz and the Pedrito Martinez Group.
