19th Annual Dominican Republic Jazz Festival Returns To Puerto Plata

Free cultural event brings five nights of concerts by GRAMMY award winning artists to the public

News provided by

Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Nov 10, 2015, 03:25 ET

CABARETE, Dominican Republic, Nov. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival celebrated its 19^th year with five nights of free concerts Nov. 4-8 in the towns of Santiago, Sosua, Puerto Plata, and Cabarete. Presented by FEDUJAZZ and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), the free cultural event is highly popular with both locals and visitors, enjoying a combined audience of 12,000 people in 2014.

"We were pleased to host the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival on the north coast of the island once again and celebrate its 19^th consecutive year," said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. "MITUR welcomes the longstanding tradition of the festival – the largest event of its kind in the Caribbean – as an enriching addition to the diverse culture of our country and way for our visitors to experience firsthand the vibrancy of our people and musical influences."

Artists for the 2015 Dominican Republic Jazz Festival included GRAMMY Award winners David Sanchez (Puerto Rico), John Patitucci (USA), and the GRAMMY Award nominee Pedrito Martinez Group, along with other outstanding talents Josean Jacobo (Dominican Republic), Roy Assaf Trio (Israel), Berklee Global Jazz Institute (USA), Javier Vargas and The Big Band Conservatory of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) with Special Guests Jim Kelly, Jim Odgren and Jason Camelio (USA). Additional artists included the Student Loan String Band (USA), Manuel Tejada (Dominican Republic), Mario Canonge Trio (France) and Pengbian Sang and Retro Jazz (Dominican Republic).

Since its inception, the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival has presented internationally renowned Latin Grammy and GRAMMY Award winning musicians such as Ignacio Berroa, Joe Lovano, Chuck Mangione, Ray Baretto, Nestor Torres, Chucho Valdes, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Arturo Sandoval among many other talents.

For those looking for a taste of Caribbean Jazz sounds at home, fans can discover island rhythms at Miami's South Florida Dominican Jazz Fest, hosted every October during Hispanic Heritage Month. Performers this year included Arturo Sandoval, Alex Diaz, Phoenix Rivera, Ivan Renta, Luis Disla, Steve Sandberg, Rey David Alejandre, and Chellie Garcia.

The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival was pleased to announce that Matt Marvuglio, Dean of the Performance Division at Berklee College of Music, and Marco Pignataro, Managing Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, headed the Artistic Advisory Board for the festival, beginning with selection of artists for the 2016 event. Mr. Marvuglio and Mr. Pignataro will also serve as advisors to FEDUJAZZ, the music education foundation of the festival, which provides free music education for youth of the Dominican Republic.

The FEDUJAZZ music program held in Cabarete aims to educate children with structured music programs that enhance their education and increase their opportunities in life. Currently, more than 120 students are provided free music education and training in the new center in Cabarete. Hundreds of schoolchildren from the North Coast of the Dominican Republic also annually attend educational music workshops with the renowned musicians performing at the jazz festival.

The 19^th Dominican Republic Jazz Festival was presented by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. Sponsors included Ron Macorix, JetBlue, the United States Embassy, Berklee Global Jazz Institute, Gratereaux Delva & Associates Law Firm, Sea Horse Ranch Luxury Resort, Ultravioleta Boutique Residences, Millennium Resort & Spa, Casa Linda, the Municipality of Sosua, Cibao Recycling and Ban Reservas.

About Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic's first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, Dominican Republic has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to approximately five million global visitors in 2014. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, Dominican Republic boasts 28 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's official website at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.