Seventh annual Panama Jazz Festival in January

The 2010 Panama Jazz Festival will run from January 11 to 16. Now in its seventh year, the event features jazz musicians in several concerts throughout Panama City. The Jazz Festival culminates with a grand concert in Casco Viejo. This year the festival features a living legend, pianist Ellis Marsalis. Other headline acts include singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, bassist John Patitucci, saxophonists Joe Lovano and Carlos Garnett and percussionists Terry Lyne Carrington and Jamey Haddad.

The festival will be dedicated to Panamanian pianist Sonny White. White, born Ellerton Oswald in Panama City in 1917, spent most of his life in the United States. He played with jazz greats of the time. Sonny played the piano intro on Sidney Bechet’s 1940 recording of “Sidney’s Blues” and accompanied Billie Holiday in “Strange Fruit,” the recording that is often crediting with bringing Billie Holiday to international stardom.

The Panama Jazz Festival provides a venue for up and coming jazz musicians as well. This year marks the inauguration of the Global Jazz Institute in Panama. Sponsored by the Berklee College of Music in Boston and directed by Panama Jazz Festival founder Danilo Perez, the Global Jazz Institute is designed to foster creativity and musicianship.

Nearly 20,000 spectators are expected to enjoy the 2010 show.

Concerts | Clinics

Monday, January 11

Afternoon concerts in the Ascanio Arosemena Theater with Tickets

4:00 p.m. • Grupo Arad (Panamá-Puerto Rico)

5:00 p.m. • New England Conservatory Jazz Ensemble

Tuesday, January 12

Afternoon concerts in the Ascanio Arosemena Theater with Tickets

4:00 p.m. • Neil Leonard, Techno Jazz

5:00 p.m. • Fundacion Jazz Fest Ensemble (México)

Wednesday, January 13

Classical Music Afternoon concerts in the Ascanio Arosemena Theater with Tickets

4:00 p.m. • Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INAC) – National Culture Institute

4:30 p.m. • University of Panama

5:00 p.m. • New England Conservatory String Quartet

GALA NIGHT

At the National Theater in Casco Viejo with Tickets

8:00 p.m. • Opening of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute (BGJI)

Jueves, January 14

Afternoon concerts in the Ascanio Arosemena Theater with Tickets

3:00 p.m. • Siena Jazz Ensemble (Italia)

4:00 p.m. • Berklee Global Jazz Institute Ensembles

Night concerts in the Anayansi Theater at the Atlapa Convention Center with Tickets

8:00 p.m. • Ellis Marsalis Trio

9:00 p.m. • John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington Trio. Special guest Jamey Haddad and surprise guest.

Friday, January 15

Afternoon concerts in the Ascanio Arosemena Theater with Tickets

4:00 p.m. • Children program of the Panama Jazz Festival directed by Tupac Mantilla, special guest BGJI

5:00 p.m. • Jim Odgren, Jim Kelly, Dave Santoro Trio

Night concerts in the Anayansi Theater at the Atlapa Convention Center with Tickets

7:30 p.m. • Juanito y Su Nuevo Flamenco

9:00 p.m. • Dee Dee Bridgewater, special guests Danilo Pérez y Carlos Garnet.

Saturday, January 16

1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Free open air concert in Plaza de la Catedral in Casco Viejo

1:00 p.m. • Fundacion Danilo Perez and Fundacion Jazz Fest (México)
2:00 p.m. • Siena Jazz Ensemble (Italia)
3:00 p.m. • Grupo Arad (Panamá-Puerto Rico)
4:00 p.m. • New England Conservatory Jazz Ensemble
5:00 p.m. • Ricaurte Villarreal TAMBORES DE PANAMA
5:30 p.m. • Juanito and his new Flamenco
6:30 p.m. • Berklee College of Music: 
Jim Odgren, Jim Kelly, Dave Santoro Trio
Berklee Global Jazz Institute and Global Jazz Jam
guests and surprises…

Tickes

On sale in Blockbuster, enter the web site Tuboleto.com to make reservations and purchase tickets online.

On sale at these Blockbuster stores:

• Calle 50, 270-2418
• El Dorado, 236-7555
• Via Espana, 214-9155
• Chanis, 222-0566
• 12 de Oct, 229-5435
• Villa Lucre, 277-3603
• Colon, 441-5549
• Brisas del Golf, 220-2627
• Chorrera, 244-6111
• Chiriqui, 774-0821
• Albrook 315-1757

Gala Night tickets: $150

Atlapa tickets $100, $70, $50, $30, $20 $10

Tip: the after parties of the Jazz Festival on Thursday and Friday are at Platea Bar in Casco Viejo, where you can enjoy more live music. We recommend making prior reservations.

For more useful information about events in Panama and moving to Panama <a href=”http://www.movingtopanama.com/contact-us/” target=”_blank” title=”Moving to Panama Contact Page”><strong>contact</strong></a> one of our experts today.