2010 Martinique Jazz Fest Set for November 27 to December 5

Martinique is making ready for the 2010 edition of its annual Jazz Festival. This year, the Caribbean’s longest-running jazz festival dating back to 1983 - the Martinique Jazz Festival - will be held November 27 to December 5. Among the international artists scheduled to perform are Gilles Rosine and Bwakoré from Martinique, Danny Sanchez (Puerto Rico), Guadeloupe’s Christian Laviso Trio along with guest David Murray (USA), Harold Lopez-Nussa (Cuba), Mushy Widmaier (Haiti), and Richard Bona (Cameroon/USA).

This year’s festival honors the legendary Gypsy jazz guitarist, Django Reinhart. A native of Belgium, Django composed such notable standards as Minor Swing, Belleville, Djangology, Swing ‘42 and Nuages. The centennial of Django’s birth will be marked with special performances by the Djivilli Quartet of France, which specializes in Gypsy jazz today.

Muriel Wiltord, director Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau/CMT USA, commented on the festival, stating: “Now in its 27th year, the Martinique Jazz Festival continues to attract great acts from all over the world to display their talents in the Isle of Flowers. We look forward to welcoming them and their fans for an unforgettable three nights in December.”

Jazz greats who have performed at the Martinique Jazz Festival in years past include the Marsalis brothers, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Paquito d’Rivera, Chucho Valdes, and many more.

Martinique Jazz Festival performances will be held primarily at L’Atrium, in the capital city, Fort-de-France, with additional concerts and events held in the towns of Sainte-Anne, Sainte-Marie, Lamentin, Rivière Salée, Sainte-Luce, and the La Pagerie Museum in Trois-Ilets, childhood home of Empress Josephine.