• Submitted by: admin
• Arts and Culture
• Entertainment
• Events
• Music
• 08 / 22 / 2007

For music aficionados, the Cuban jazz festival is not to be missed - the opportunity to see the great Chucho Valdes performing live should be a huge incentive. The 66 year old Cuban jazz legend has won three Grammies so far (1978, 1998 and 2003) and two of those were for live recordings. Elsewhere, the line-up is also looking enticing to Cuban jazz enthusiasts, with Mayra Cardidad Valdes, Lazaro Morua, Yasek Manzano, Roberto Martinez, Bobby y Roberico Carcasses and Afrocuba confirmed as performing. The acts are spread throughout the five days of the festival, across six venues throughout Varadero and are all evening based, allowing Cuba holiday-makers plenty of opportunity to explore the old town and picturesque beaches over the course of their stay.

The full itinerary for the five days is as follows:

Wednesday 5th September:
22:30 - A 'Welcome show' marks the opening of the Cuba jazz festival! Hosted at the Hotel Internacional de Varadero, the show will feature Afrocuba and Mestizaje de Matanzas.

Thursday 6th September

18:00 - Alejandro Vargas and friends play the Saloon JoJazz

22:00 - Chucho Valdes, a legend of jazz in Cuba, hosts a concert at the Main Hall in Plaza America with help from special guests Mayra Caridad Valdes, Lazaro Morua, Yasek Manzano, Elmer Ferrer and other international performers.

Friday 7th September

18:00 - Yasek Manzano plus guests play the Saloon JoJazz

22:00 - Ernan Lopen-Nussa and friends play the Main Hall

Saturday 8th September

18:00 - Roberto Martinez and friends play the Saloon JoJazz

22:00 - Jose Luis Cortes plays the Main Hall, Plaza America

Sunday 9th September

18:00 - JoJazz Allstars appropriately play the Saloon JoJazz

22:00 - The Cuban jazz festival is closed by an inevitably impressive set from Bobby & Robertico Carcasses and friends.

Aside from the general programme, the event has an alternate schedule where Cuban jazz enthusiasts can see Maestro Carlos Tarafa perform every night at the Mambo Club, or a variety of acts performing at the Casa de la Musica.

Captivating Cuba has come up with three exciting packages that will take their customers to Varadero at the height of Cuban jazz fever! Starting at £928 per person, the packages range between 11 and 14 days, allowing visitors to enjoy the festival and many of the other tropical delights the island offers. The first Cuba jazz holiday package lasts 11 nights, includes return flights from Gatwick to Havana, four nights at the 5 star Saratoga Hotel (bed and breakfast) and seven nights at the 4 star Sol Palmeras hotel (all inclusive), allowing visitors to take in the delights of Havana and Varadero (with included transfer between the two) for £1023 per person, based on two adults sharing spacious double rooms.

If you prefer a slightly longer Cuba jazz holiday, the other two jazz festival packages may be for you. The first includes return flights from Manchester to Varadero, Cuba, 14 nights at the 4 star all inclusive Corallia Playa D'Oro hotel and all transfers £928 per person (again based on two adults sharing a spacious room). The final package features 14 nights at the 4 star Blau Varadero Hotel on an all inclusive basis, return flights from Gatwick to Varadero, and all transfers for £958. All of the Varadero holiday packages mentioned include airport taxes and tourist cards, and full rep service at the resorts, though they do not include a departure tax of 25CUC which is payable on departure.