Dominican Republic Jazz Festival blasts off Nov. 4

Cabarete, DominicanRepublic.- The 19th Dominican Republic Jazz Festival will celebrate five nightsof free concerts, Nov. 4-8, 2015, in the towns of Santiago, Sosúa, PuertoPlata, and Cabarete. Presented by FEDUJAZZ and the Dominican Ministry ofTourism, the renowned cultural event is the longest-running jazz Festival inthe Caribbean.

The DominicanRepublic Jazz Festival is pleased to announce that Matt Marvuglio, Dean of thePerformance Division at Berklee College of Music, and Marco Pignataro, ManagingDirector of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute are joining the Artistic AdvisoryBoard for the festival, and will also serve as advisors to FEDUJAZZ, theeducation foundation that provides free music education for youth of theDominican Republic.

Since its inception,the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival has presented internationally renownedLatin Grammy and GRAMMY Award winning musicians such as Ignacio Berroa, JoeLovano, Chuck Mangione, Ray Baretto, Néstor Torres, Chucho Valdés, Horacio “ElNegro” Hernandez and Arturo Sandoval among many other talents.

The festival is free,but VIP Tickets are available, enabling priority seating, complimentarybeverages, and other festival perks with proceeds benefiting the musicfoundation FEDUJAZZ.

Line-Up for the 2015Dominican Republic Jazz Festival:

Wednesday, November4, 2015 – Santiago, Centro Leon, 8pm

· Big Band Conservatory of Santo Domingowith Javier Vargas (Dominican Republic) Featuring Special Guests Jim Kelly, JimOdgren and Jason Camelio (USA)

· Tribute to Juan Colon (DominicanRepublic)

· Student Loan String Band (USA)

Thursday, November 5,2015 – Sosúa, Casa Marina Amphitheater, 8pm

· Big Band Conservatory of Santo Domingowith Javier Vargas (Dominican Republic) Featuring Special Guests Jim Kelly, JimOdgren and Jason Camelio (USA)

· Roy AssafTrio (Israel)

Friday, November 6, 2015 – Puerto Plata, PlazaIndependencia 8pm

· ManuelTejada (Dominican Republic)

· BerkleeGlobal Jazz Institute (USA)

· Tribute to Sandy Gabriel (DominicanRepublic)

· DavidSánchez Quintet (Puerto Rico)

Saturday, November 7,2015 – Cabarete Beach, 8pm

· Youth Concerts – Noon (DominicanRepublic)

· JoseanJacobo (Dominican Republic)

· JohnPatitucci (USA)

Sunday, November 8,2015 – Cabarete Beach, 8pm

· Mario Canonge Trio (France)

· Pengbian Sang and Retro Jazz(Dominican Republic)

· Tribute to Crispin Fernandez(Dominican Republic)

· Pedrito Martinez Group (Cuba)

The FEDUJAZZ musicprogram aims to provide children with free music programs that enhance theiroverall education and increase life opportunities. Currently there are over onehundred and fifty students attending free music classes at the new center inCabarete. Additionally, over one thousand schoolchildren from the North Coastof the Dominican Republic participate in the music workshops held inconjunction with the renowned musicians performing at the jazz festival.

The 19th DominicanRepublic Jazz Festival is presented by the Ministry of Tourism, and sponsorsinclude Ron Macorix, JetBlue, the United States Embassy, Berklee Global JazzInstitute, Gratereaux Delva & Associates Law Firm, Sea Horse Ranch LuxuryResort, Ultravioleta Boutique Residences, Millennium Resort & Spa, CasaLinda, the Municipality of Sosúa, Cibao Recycling and BanReservas.