CubaPLUS Magazine

Under the slogan "Cuban jazz drums for peace," the 5th Matanzas Jazz Festival begins this Friday with the participation of talented Cuban musicians who cultivate this genre and which will take place in person and will be broadcast online.

This long-awaited meeting, according to its president, Miguel &Aángel Rodríguez (Miguelón), will raise everyone's positive energy through music, because without peace at home, on the street and in the world, nothing can be done, he stressed.

The festival that will take place until next Sunday, May 1, has the presence of groups from Matanzas, AfroCuba and Los Muñequitos, exponents of folk music; the trio Mestizaje, directed by Miguelón himself; Alejandro Falcón and his group Cubadentro and the pianist and music producer Emilio Vega with his ensemble Paso al Frente.

Also performing at this great party will be Ruy López-Nussa and La Academia; trumpet maestro Roberto García, bassist Rafael Balceiro, as well as Maykel González (trumpeter) with a concert from his recent discography under the Colibrí label.

A very special day within the festival will be on Saturday 30, International Jazz Day, with a performance by the Provincial Art School Band directed by maestro Rodolfo Horta Hernández and the Matanzas Chamber Choir under the baton of José A. Mendez.

Among the festival's venues, in addition to the main one in the majestic Teatro Sauto, and its portals, the White room, the Colonial Patio of the Hermanos Saíz Association, and the Paseo del Río San Juan on the pedestrian street Narváez will serve as the stage for this fifth edition that continues its tradition: defending Cuban musical culture.