• Submitted by: manso
• Arts and Culture
• 09 / 15 / 2010

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Published: 14 Sep 2010. The passports are ready; the tickets have been booked; but are you ready? The San Fernando Jazz Festival is poised to receive the Cuban musicians who will be the headliner act on the Festival, carded for Saturday, September 25, from 7 pm, on the majestic San Fernando Hill.

Coming in from Havana, the Lazaro Valdes y Son Jazz Quintet’s visit has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Trinidad and Tobago Friends of Cuba and the ICAP of Cuba. At 70, Lazaro Valdes has had a very distinguished career in music, both as a practitioner and teacher. As a pianist, composer and arranger. He belongs to a family of renowned Cuban musicians and possesses wide musical experience, that comes from his participation as the pianist and musical director of the Banda Gigante De Benny More.

His group Son Jazz is an example of the interpretation of Cuban jazz in the styles of other genres such as son, jazz, contradanza, danzon and guajira—creating an excellent fusion. His repertoire is made up of musical works written by himself and of versions by other important Cubans and foreign musicians, always with the incomparable style of his group.

Valdes is one hell of a funky pianist and composer. He has played at all International Jazz Plaza Festivals and at the Huan Hin Festival in Thailand in 2006. Joining the Cubans on stage will be Mavis John, Mungal Patasar and Pantar, 90.1 Degrees Band, led by Kenny Phillips and featuring Digicel Rising Star winner, Kay Alleyne of Tobago.

The national instrument takes pride of place with the Kaizen Fuzun Orchestra led by Dareren Sheppard. The night promises to be an exciting treat and it falls within the Tourism month celebrations; and also as a prelude to the upcoming San Fernando City Week.

Great attractions are in store for the patrons. Bake and shark, doubles, corn soup, barbecues and other creole delights. A well stocked drinks facility will be alongside the “foodies” stations. Gates will open at 5 pm to allow sightseers to get a glimpse of the panoramic view and see the breathtaking sunset. The bus ferry will be standing by to shuttle people up and down the slope.

Patrons must note that only bonafide ticket holders, special letters or other formal means of passes, will see people through to board the buses. It is in their interest to ensure that they have the proper means for admission.

• Tickets will also be on sale at the gates,or you can call 620-3918,and 741-7362 for further information.

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/features/entertainment/2