“XXII Edition of the International Festival of Jazz and Blues San Miguel de Allende 2016” is not only one of the most prominent and longest-running festivals of its kind in Mexico, but it is also one of the most important in all of Latin America.
This year’s edition will take place from Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 November, and it is dedicated to the memory of an extraordinary musician and a great friend of the Festival, guitarist Ken Basman.
Homage to Ken Basman on Friday, November 18th (Facebook)
The festival will feature international artists such as Geoffrey Keezer, who at age 18 played with “Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers”, a band that included legendary jazz musicians such as Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie.
Keezer participated in tours with Joshua Redman, Benny Golson and Ray Brown, and won multiple Grammy awards.
He recorded with Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves; he also collaborated with jazz legends like Wayne Shorter, Jim Hall, Christian McBride, and Joe Locke. He continues to tour with Chris Botti and has worked with Sting.
Keezer will be appearing at the festival with Canadian singer Gillian Margot, who studied with jazz greats Oscar Peterson, Freddy Cole, and Norman Simmons.
https://youtu.be/M4pmYKjq9Yg
This year the festival opens with the brilliant Alex Mercado, one of the best pianists in Mexico. In his second recording, “Symbiosis”, Mercado shared credits with Antonio Sanchez, composer of the soundtrack to the movie “Birdman”, and Scott Colley. Mercado will be accompanied by Agustin Bernal on bass and Gabriel Puentes on drums.
Alex Mercado is one of the best pianists in all of Mexico (Google)
The festival will also feature Whitney Shay, an extraordinary singer who has been nominated for best blues artist, best live show, and best blues album in the San Diego Music Awards. The band “People vs. Larsen” features Tom Larsen on guitar and vocals, with Spencer Murphy on bass and Jordan Rose on drums. This trio offers a musical experience that immerses the listener in blues, jazz, and rock simultaneously.
Official poster (Image: sanmigueljazz.com.mx)
The festival will close with a special “Tribute to Billy Joel,” presented by the San Miguel Jazz Cats, led by bassist Antonio Lozoya, beneficiary of the 2014 Performing Artists with Trajectory award from the National Fund for Culture and Arts (FONCA); Jaime Valle on guitar and Víctor Monterrubio on drums. This exceptional performance will include many special guests to close out the festival.
In addition to the concerts, various free activities will take place, including a didactic jazz workshop for participants of all ages. The workshop will address all of the elements of jazz. In addition, we will again feature our popular film series, with a choice of jazz or blues productions.
TICKETS SALE
La Conexión
Aldama #3
Col. Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Tel. 01 415 152-1599
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LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA
Insurgentes #25
Col. Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
Tel. 01 415 152-0293
Source: http://www.sanmigueljazz.com.mx/
