Ibague jazz festival draws the greats to Colombia

The third Ibague Jazz festival will bring the biggest names in jazz – both local and international – to the capital of Colombia’s Tolima department from April 29 to May 1, reports vive in Musica.

Special guests will include Argentinian virtuoso pianist Ernesto Jodos and, fresh from recording new album “Laberintos” for Sony in Argentina, Colombian saxophonist Antonio Arnedo.

Arnedo, the festival’s artistic director, described his hopes for the festival, “The idea is to have the greatest diversity and number of examples of the language of jazz in the world today, and I think we will succeed.”

Colombian groups the Puerto Candelaria, the Ensamble del Conservatorio del Tolima and Yembe are also on the bill.

Representing the New York jazz scene will be the renowned Bruce Sanders; a guitarist, composer, author and educator, who has toured with superstars like Jack DeJohnette, Dave Holland, Bill Stewart, Peter Erskine and Ben Monder.

The festival begins at 7.30 PM at the Teatro Tolima, where Arnedo and Jodos will interpret various strands of Colombian music and, on Friday, Sauders and Yembe will perform. Puerto Candelaria play on Saturday. On Thursday and Friday morning there will be masterclasses from the Ensamble del Conservatorio del Tolima.

The festival is organized by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Trade and the Chamber of Commerce in Ibague.

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