Again JoJazz Music Contest in Havana

The JoJazz Contest 2010 is one of the proposals of great importance for the booming jazz movement in Cuba by early 2010, which will highlight the legacy of outstanding contrabassist Orlando (Cachaito) Lopez (1933-2009).

The 13th edition of that contest, starting yesterday, November 25 through 28, will prove what the island’s new jazz musicians can do on stage.

The opening will be at Havana Mella Theater, main venue of the contest, where young instrument players and renowned Cuban music figures will give, through jazz, an overview of the main stages of Cachaito’s artistic life. Cachaito was one of the main figures of the All Star band, Buena Vista Social Club.

Italian saxophonist Stefano Di Battista and his band, made up of pianist Roberto Tarenzi, contrabassist Francesco Puglisi, and drummer Roberto Pistolesi, will also participate in the opening ceremony.

This year, JoJazz welcomes 23 new musicians from the island’s different provinces, who will show their abilities in interpretation and harmony workshops, performances at La Zorra y El Cuervo emblematic club in Havana, as well as composition and interpretation contests.