This weekend, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of May, the Jersey City Jazz Festival 2026 brings together a select group of Latin jazz stars!

The Jersey City Jazz Festival returns in 2026 with its biggest event yet, inviting music fans of all ages to experience jazz from across the spectrum including straight-ahead, Latin jazz and more throughout an unforgettable three-day celebration. Presented by Exchange Place Alliance, the free event runs from Friday evening, May 29 through Sunday, May 31 along the Hudson River waterfront at Exchange Place Plaza, offering sweeping views of lower Manhattan. Designed to welcome both locals and visitors, the Jersey City Jazz Festival continues to grow as a destination event that’s easy to reach from the tri-state area for a day trip or a full weekend immersed in live music, culture and community.

Exchange Place Plaza 

Performances will take place across multiple stages, creating a dynamic, open atmosphere where audiences can move freely between styles, sounds and spontaneous musical moments. Known as a true “musician’s hang," the festival fosters an environment where artists connect, collaborate and celebrate their craft in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Beyond the music, attendees can explore a curated artisan marketplace, enjoy a wide selection of food trucks and take part in the Community Zone, which features free activities for children along with interactive dance classes for all ages.

Saturday May 30, 2026

RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage (Free!)

12 noon — Riverview Jazz All-Stars

2 pm - Tim Berne 6

4 pm - Melvis Santa 

6 pm - Saha Gnawa

8 pm — The Eddie Palmieri Experience feat. special guests Conrad Herwig, Jimmy Bosch, and Zaccai Curtis: Presented by Louis Fouché and Luques Curtis

Exchange Place Alliance Pier Stage (Free!)

12 noon - NJCU Jazz Combo

1:30 pm - Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra

3:30 pm - Moses Patrou

5:30 pm - Bobby Sanabria & Ascensión

7:00 pm - Salsa dance class

 

Sunday, May 31st, 2026

Jazz Alley (Purchase tickets online!)

1 pm — Charlie Sigler Organ Band

3 pm - Melissa Aldana Quartet

5 pm — Jeff "Tain" Watts

7 pm - Bria Skonberg

 

RWJBarnabas Health Plaza Stage (Free!)

12 noon - Andrew Wagner/Alex De Lazzari Quintet

2 pm - Chembo Corniel Quintet

Wilson Chembo Corniel

4 pm — Chicha Libre

6 pm — The Roy Hargrove Big Band

8 pm - Nelson Gonzalez

 

Pier Stage (Free!)

12 noon — UCMP's Latin Jazz Ensemble

1:30 - WBGO Presents

3:30 - Andromeda Turre

5 pm - Dance Class

5:30 pm — John Benitez and Revolution 

7 pm - Dance Class

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

Melissa Aldana, Bia Ferreira, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Francisco Torres, Antonio Sanchez y Mino Cinelu seran los representantes de Latinoamerica y El Caribe en la Gran Gala de Chicago hoy, con motivo del Dia Internacional del Jazz

 

En el Lyric Opera de Chicago (en la imagen), hoy desde las 7 p.m (YouTube, UN TV, UNESCO, jazzday.com, Facebook)., se celebrara, con gran fiesta de gala, 15 Edicion del Dia Internacional del Jazz. A esta importante cita concurren destacados musicos de jazz contemporaneo y de jazz latino.

El legendario jazzista Herbie Hancock, creador de este memorable dia, esta de placemes porque el evento se realizara en la ciudad donde nacio y crecio. Chicago es conocida como una ciudad impulsora del jazz.

Latinoamerica y El Caribe, como de costumbre tiene pocos invitados pero de gran calidad, ellos resuenan en todo el mundo: la saxofonista chilena Melissa Aldana, multinstrumentista brasilera Bia Ferreira, el pianista cubano Gonzalo Rubalcaba, los mexicanos trombonista Francisco Torres y baterista Antonio Sanchez, y el percusionista martiniqueño Mino Cinelu daran el toque magistral de jazz latino.

Exitos para todos los invitados y resulte lucida esta celebracion, como siempre!

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

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jazzven248@gmail.com

El Centro Venezolano Americano rinde tributo al legendario Maestro Eddie Palmieri el Dia Internacional del Jazz con Prisca Davila, Jazzy Jazz y el arte fotografico de Sandro Oramas!

El piano de las Américas suena en el CVA Las Mercedes.

Eddie Palmieri fue el arquitecto visionario que transformó la salsa en un lenguaje de vanguardia, fusionando la fuerza telúrica de la calle con la sofisticación del jazz, elevando la música latina a la categoría de arte universal. Desde Nueva York hasta Caracas, su eco legendario sigue transformando el jazz y la salsa.

En el año de la conmemoración del 85 aniversario de su fundación y dentro del marco del Día Internacional del Jazz, el Centro Venezolano Americano rinde tributo al genio neoyorquino de alma caribeña, con un concierto a cargo de la distinguida pianista venezolana Prisca Dávila y la agrupación Jazzy Jazz: Luis Freites (bajo), Michelle de los Ríos (trombón), Guillermo Uribe (timbal), Junior Uribe (congas) y Antonia Toro (vocalista y coros).

Con arreglos y dirección de los maestros Albert Hernández (saxo tenor) y Jesús Rafael Pérez (vocalista y teclados),

escucharemos temas clásicos del jazz afrolatino como Muñeca, Vámonos pal’monte, Azúcar o Ritmo alegre.

¡Ven a vivir la historia de una amistad

que se escribe con jazz

En la Sala Margot Boulton de Bottome, espacio emblemático de intercambio y libertad creativa, cerrando con broche de oro la exposición fotográfica de Sandro Oramas

Sala Margot Boulton de Bottome, CVA Las Mercedes.

Jueves 30 de mayo.

5:00 p.m.

Entrada libre (Aforo limitado)

Directora de Cultura CVA: Liliana Sierralta

Producción General: Edisson Spinetti @edispinetti

Producción Ejecutiva: Federico Pacanins @federicopacanins

Somos Idiomas. Somos Cultura. Somos Amistad...Somos CVA.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

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www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

Olegario Diaz y Su Cuarteto el viernes 25/02/2026 en el Centro Venezolano Americano

 

"Olegario Diaz ha sido, a traves del tiempo, uno de los

musicos mas completos de Venezuela. Su lenguaje claro en el piano,

sus composiciones. educador y su constancia al profundizar el Jazz

Contemporaneo le han valido los mejores reconocimientos de la 

critica nacional e internacional" 

El afiche anuncia el concierto que el proximo viernes 27 de Febrero 2026 dara el Maestro Olegario Diaz y Su Cuarteto en la Sala Margot Boulton de Bottome del Centro Venezolano Americano, en Las Mercedes, Caracas.

De por si el solo hecho de mencionar el nombre del reconocido pianista Olegario Diaz, esta movilizando a la gente para garantizarse un lugar en el aforo, y es que el publico y fanaticos quiere conocer que nuevas propuestas trae el insigne jazzista.

Diaz estara acompañado en su presentacion por Miguel Chacin (bajo), Samuel Guevara (saxo) y Gerardo Lopez (bateria), musicos de dilatada trayectoria.

En este evento cultural-musical el fotografo Sandro Oramas expondra a los asistentes una coleccion de valiosas tomas realizadas en diferentes sitios, enfocadas en el Jazz.

Tambien sera oportunidad para que el experimentado Humberto Valdivieso nos hable un poco de su experiencia y conocimientos en Jazz.

Gracias a la Direccion General y a la Direccion Cultural del CVA  podemos continuar disfrutando de buena musica en vivo.

De su album "Aleph in Chromatic" les invito a disfrutar de la pieza "Ivonne", de su propia inspiracion.

 

Olegario Diaz - Ivonne
https://youtu.be/Kn1FckSHvdg?si=4-f2JyJMHJEoBQ7s

Olegario Diaz:

Olegario Díaz es un compositor, pianista y educador venezolano nacido en Caracas. Obtuvo su licenciatura en composición en el Berklee College of Music en 1978 y una maestría en estudios de jazz en la Manhattan School of Music en 1986. Díaz ha actuado con artistas como Tito Puente, Willie Bobo y Celia Cruz. Para su álbum debut, grabó con renombrados músicos de jazz de Nueva York, entre ellos Rich Perry, Ron McClure y Billy Hart. 

Ha actuado con muchos artistas de jazz de renombre tanto en la costa este como en la costa oeste de los Estados Unidos. Para sus cinco primeros álbumes en SteepleChase Records, Díaz grabó con músicos como Randy Brecker, Lewis Nash, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. Randy Brecker., Seamus Blake, Scott Colley y Jeff  "Tain" Watts. Desde 2019, es profesor de piano y conjunto en la Universidad de Nueva Jersey.

En Venezuela ha colaborado en grabaciones de Huascar Barradas, Federico Britos Ruiza (Grammy), Carlos Morean, Luz Marina, "Chipi" Chacon y Alfredo Naranjo, entre otros.

Diaz es autor de los siguientes libros: John Coltrane Michael Brecker Legacy (con Hector Becerra), Chris Potter Jazz Styles, Jerry Bergonzy: Emblematic Jazz Styles, Bob Berg Iconic Jazz Style, Inventions and Dimensions: Michael Brecker Jazz Styles, Joe Henderson Jazz Master, Freddie Hubbard: Jazz Giant y Herbie Hancock: The Blue Note Years, entre otros, porque ademas tiene en su haber los realizados sobre educacion y metodos musicales.

Sus Grabaciones:

1992          Casi en el Guaire                 Archivo de la Ciudad

2003          Jazz Figures (piano solo)     Latin World

2005          Trios                                     Independent

2009          Chill Art Tribute                   Independent

2011          Having Fun                           SteepleChase

2012          The Skyline Session             SteepleChase

2014          Basquiat By Night/Day        SteepleChase

2016          Aleph to Chromatic              SteepleChase

2018         I Remember Chet                  SteepleChase

A mediados del año pasado Diaz escribio "Bob Mintzer: Jazz Virtuoso Early Work". Mintzer fue destacado miembro del famoso grupo de Jazz Fusion Yellowjackets. 

Caracas Trio celebrates its new album "Folklore", Venezuelan Jazz and New York gaita!

 

FOLKLORE

"The continuous and fruitful work achieved by these

three magnificent Venezuelan musicians over the last

years has fostered a brotherhood, and thus they reap FOLKLORE."

Musicians: Juan Diego Villalobos (vibraphone, malletstation, keybass, percussion); Gabriel Chakargi (piano, keyboards, keybass, synths, percussion); Daniel Prim (drums, percussion); Special Guest: Carlos Telez (vocals 1, 2, 6); Rafa Pino (text, vocals 4); Orestes Gomez (drums 4, 8); Janelle MacDermoth (text, vocals 8)

Tracks List: Africa; Folklore; Gaita Soul; VIM Interlude; VIM (Venezuela In Motion); Corta Leña; UMMG; Let Me Smoke; Antes Que Se Vaya; Amor y Agua

The musical career of the members of Caracas Trio—Juan Diego Villalobos, Gabriel Chakargi, and Daniel Prim—has not been easy. They have had to overcome obstacles, which they have managed to conquer with tenacity, perseverance, quality, and passion for their art. As a trio, representatives of Venezuelan jazz, they bring great pride to Venezuela by revitalizing the folklore of this wonderful Caribbean-Andean nation, located in northern South America, with energy and flair.

In "Folklore," the ten tracks showcase the creativity and complex rhythms they have achieved over time. Innovation is present with energy and authenticity. The music, rooted in Venezuelan tradition, is adorned with jazz embellishments, elevating it to appeal to all tastes.

Now that the Christmas holidays are approaching, Caracas Trio presents in this album "Gaita Soul," which some call Gaita in New York, and like the traditional Zulian gaita, the percussion instruments are fundamental, here we have them in a striking work, which leaves no doubt of its originality.

The members of Caracas Trio, based in New York, have each formed their own groups as leaders and have been invited to back other bands, which has allowed them to grow in their experience.

Their performances at the Kennedy Center, NoMad Jazz Festival, Jazz Gallery, Pausa Art House, and various jazz clubs have received critical acclaim and standing ovations from audiences.

Caracas Trio

Daniel Prim - Drums, Percussion and Voice 

Daniel Prim is a Grammy winner Venezuelan drummer and percussionist specializing in jazz, Latin, and Afro-Venezuelan music. Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, he started his formal music studies at 12 years old at Jose Reina Music School. He later attended the Simón Bolivar Conservatory of Music, part of the National Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela, “El Sistema”, created by maestro José Antonio Abreu. In 2013, Daniel moved to Los Angeles to study under the mentorship of drummer Jeff Hamilton, and 2016 he moved to New York City, where he currently resides. He has performed with such luminaries as Victor Wooten, Luis Perdomo, Stafford Hunter, Etienne Charles, Roberto Quintero, Roy Wooten, Edmar Castañeda, Dayna Stephens, and others. He performs regularly with Latin Grammy winner Ella Bric, critically, Adam O’Farrill, Luis Perdomo, and the punk rock band MakeWar, on Fat Wreck Chords. In addition to his formal training, Daniel has studied and mastered the traditional drumming of his Afro-Venezuelan roots and has taught master classes in Afro-Venezuelan drumming at Berklee College of Music and Salem State University. He also teaches jazz and Latin music through the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance and New York University. In his own projects, Daniel seeks to mix Afro-Venezuelan rhythms and instrumentation with jazz composition and technique. He will release the first album under his own name, Daniel Prim & the Chikilukis, in the fall of 2022.

Gabriel Chakargi - Piano, Keyboards and voice

Gabriel Chakarji is a young pianist and composer who is deeply passionate and committed to the power of music. Originally from Caracas Venezuela, he grew up in a multicultural environment full of music that expands from afro-Venezuelan Folk, Caribbean, Brazilian music to Jazz and Gospel. Gabriel began studying classical piano at the age of nine. After high school, he studied composition at Ars Nova School of music. In his teens, he took part of the Simon Bolívar Jazz Big Band touring with this orchestra to New York and Boston in 2011. His experience, versatility, and passion made him one of the most sought-after pianists in his country. His participation in the Album “Tiempo” of Linda Briceño

earned him a nomination for the Latin Grammy Awards in 2013. At age 21 Gabriel moved to New York with a scholarship to study at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music under the guidance of great masters of jazz and improvised music like Reggie Workman, George Cables, Billy Harper and Jane Ira Bloom. He quickly became active in the scene of the city performing in venues like Dizzy’s Club, Blue note, Smalls Jazz Club, Smoke Jazz Club, Fat Cat, Cornelia Street, BonaFide, Subrosa, etc. In 2016 he performed at the late night set at the Blue Note duo with Gadi Lehavi after Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock’s duo set. That same year he toured to the Bern Jazz festival and Mexico City Jazz Festival. Appearances as a sideman with numerous artists such as Luisito Quintero, Linda Briceño, Jhon Benitez, Ali Bello and much more. Gabriel is also involved in the education program of JALC (Jazz at Lincoln center) giving concerts and workshops in

public schools. The influences of cultures, rhythms and harmonies became Gabriel’s own personality. His compositions and playing are rooted in social justice and multiculturalism.

Juan Diego Villalobos – Vibraphone, Percussion and Voice

Latin Grammy award winning, Juan Diego Villalobos, has developed a varied career as a composer, arranger, and performer making him one of the most sought-after vibraphone players in New York. His album, Perspectiva (2017), is his first step towards reimagining jazz and Afro-Venezuelan music to create an unique new sonority based on their

common roots. Originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela, Villalobos comes from a musical family that initiated him in Venezuelan folkloric music at really young age, and with whom he performed at different festivals around Mexico and Venezuela. In 2010, Juan Diego moved to Caracas to study at the Simon Bolivar Music Conservatory; at the same

time he was part of the renowned Teresa Carreño Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela and performed across Europe, Asia and the US as a classical percussionist, sharing the stage with Christian Vazquez and the acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel.  In 2014 he was selected among other fourteen Venezuelan musicians to participate at “Lang Lang & Friends”, a concert held at the United Nations Headquarters in NY city, in celebration of the 69th anniversary of its founding with special guests such as Sting, Alec Baldwin and Lang Lang himself. Simultaneously, Villalobos developed his knowledge of jazz which allowed him to present his compositions and perform with several jazz artist from and across Venezuela and the United States. Under the tutelage of Stefon Harris and Joe Locke, Villalobos obtained a full scholarship in 2018 to study jazz vibraphone at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music; learning from luminaries like Buster Williams, Kendrick Scott and Miguel Zenon. During this time he also starts appearing at distinguished New York

venues including Dizzy’s Jazz Club, Harlem Stage, Smalls Jazz Club and Birdland, as a band lider and sideman, performing alongside Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo O’Farrill, Jeremy Pelt, Luis Perdomo, John Beasley, among others. This same year, Villalobos was awarded a Latin Grammy for his participation on the album Identidad by Venezuelan cuatro player

Miguel Siso.

Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.jazzcaribe.blogspot.com

jazzcaribe2001@yahoo.com

Note: The bestselling book of music literature "The Bible of Latin Jazz" by musicologist Luis Raul Montell is available on Amazon.

La diva Maria Rivas celebra su nominacion en los Latin Grammy en Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela, el 6 de Octubre de 2018

La celebre cantante venezolana Maria Rivas ofrecera un concierto el proximo sabado 6 de Octubre de 2018 respaldada por la Orquesta Sinfonica de Carabobo, en la capital industrial de Venezuela: Valencia.

Sera una gran oportunidad de disfrutar un espectaculo unico en donde el jazz venezolano sera la cenicienta en la voz de Maria Rivas, preferida del Padre del Jazz Venezolano Aldemaro Romero.

Ademas de interpretar temas de su ultimo CD "Motivos" nominado a los Grammy Latino, tambien nos deleitara con piezas valiosas pertenecientes a la Onda Nueva, estilo musical creado por el Maestro Romero y el afamado baterista Pavo Frank.

La señorita Rivas ha tenido una carrera artistica en ascenso permanente y su tendencia al Jazz Latino le han valido grandes elogios.

Los invitamos a disfrutar una de las presentaciones de Maria Rivas, una venezolana de altura:



¡¡Viva The Latin Jazz!!

www.mariarivasjazz.com

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Paquito D'Rivera & Jorge Glem: Jazz Venezolano

For anyone, it is a novelty that in everything that Maestro Paquito D'Rivera will be involved in, Flor will have. D 'Rivera has been a creator and executor of so many and varied folklores, which certainly did not escape the Venezuelan and is undoubtedly has honored the legendary composer Antonio Lauro with his arrangements and clarinet and sax. Now he will offer a concert of Latin jazz, special Venezuelan jazz, with the triumphant cuatro player Jorge Glem who has developed a brilliant career. 
Here is the poster of the event that I am sure will be: unforgettable

¡¡Viva The Latin Jazz!!

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