He Jazz Plaza International Festival This Friday it launched the image of its next edition, which will run from January 25 to February 1, 2026.
The work Alfredo Sosabravo, National Prize for Plastic Arts, will make up the visuality of the event that is now in its 41st edition. The artist created a piece for this occasion called “El Guateque” and which represents a musical party starring his iconic figures.
This is a way in which the festival pays tribute to the 95 years of the creator and, at the same time, continues with the project started eight years ago of putting the Jazz Plaza poster in the hands of relevant names in Cuban art.
Among these figures have been Alberto Lezcay, Arturo Montoto, Roberto Fabelo, Zaida del Río, Eduardo Roca (Choco), Nelson Domínguez and the creator of the event Bobby Carcassés, who are now joined by Sosabravo.
Sound-wise, the campaign will be accompanied by the musical theme “La Rumba me llama”, composed and produced by pianist Roberto Fonseca, artistic director of the festival.
The single brings together important names from the Cuban music scene such as Bobby Carcassés, Alain Pérez, Issac Delgado and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas; while part of the instrumental accompaniment is in the hands of students from music schools in the city.
The intention was to give the sound of this edition of the event a more comprehensive vision of tradition, current events and future of Cuban music.
In the presentation conference, Víctor Rodríguez, president of the Jazz Plaza International Festival, gave some details of what will happen next January.
The event will add the city of Holguín to its sub-venues, along with Santiago de Cuba and Villa Clara.
“It has always been a challenge to develop it, but this year is historic based on all the things that are happening, based on the passage of that great hurricane that practically destroyed the entire East and within that, two cities in which we must have the festival in 2026,” said Rodríguez, who said that the event will be held there “in any circumstance.”
He noted that more than 220 foreign artists have already confirmed their participation in the next Jazz Plaza, while Cuban musicians residing abroad will return to Cuban stages for the occasion, although he did not offer names.
Likewise, he offered previews of some already confirmed presentations such as the opening concerts of the program on January 25.
That day, the Cuban pianist living in the United States Nachito Herrera will offer a concert with the National Symphony Orchestra in the Covarrubias Room of the National Theater of Cuba; and the pianist Frank Fernández will perform alongside art school students.
Other highlights will be the celebration within the event of the 50 years of the Síntesis group; and a concert that will bring together Cuban musicians who have been winners of the Montreux Jazz Festival, one of the most important events of its kind in the world, such as the Pacheco Brothers, Rolando Luna, Harold López-Nussa, Héctor Quintana and Yilian Cañizares.
