Every Jazz music lover knows that April is Jazz appreciation month globally. One of its greatest promoters and exponents on our island, the master percussionist Carlos Bislip, has once again organized a well-deserved celebration.
Tuesday, April 30th is the date to enjoy an evening of great music at the Kulture Café in San Nicolas, starting at 7:00 pm. Admission is free with various local and international groups performing a wide repertoire to delight you under our skies and stars.
Jazz Appreciation Month or JAM is an initiative of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, which later, in November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially dedicated April 30th as International Jazz Day, with the original objective of highlighting the music that unites the world more than any other genre.
In Aruba, we have been celebrating JAM since 2006, thanks to Carlos Bislip. The first concert was held at Cas di Cultura, but on occasion, it was also at the National Library. This year marks the nineteenth edition and, for the second consecutive time, it is being organized in San Nicolas. This decision is thanks to the positive reaction of the public.
Bislip quickly realized that JAM was an excellent platform to promote our local talent. In this way, he combined music school students with local musicians, providing the young people with a very useful experience. The results have been excellent so far; 20 of those who participated in JAM have chosen to continue their music studies abroad.
This year is no different, with around 20 young musicians forming part of Caribbean Combo, under the direction of Carlos Bislip, who will play a few themes with influences from funk, reggae, and mambo. For the first time in JAM, vocalists Osdelys Wester, Tabitah Heemstad, and Pearl Dumfries will be introduced, accompanied by a quartet presenting versions of local themes.
According to Bislip, pianist Timothy Naddall, who is a very promising young talent, will also be part of the concert with fusion-style themes. Next up is Richard Holmond, a highly experienced drummer who combines jazz with themes from artists in our region. Holmond is a musician who, after several years, has managed to synchronize his schedule with JAM since he has many performances. Following this, Carlos Bislip Tipico Jazz will be presented, a name he gave to the musician friends’ combination, focusing on Aruban folklore, as well as some original compositions.
For the closing of the evening, there will be artists from abroad. In the first place, there is Freddie Franken, who is an Aruban residing in the United States. Franken is a guitar professor at a university in Chicago. Accompanying him will be American musician Chase Baird, who has a long career and is currently living in Aruba.
Carlos Bislip invites all Jazz enthusiasts not to miss this valuable opportunity to come and enjoy an evening of Jazz music at Kulture Café in San Nicolas. The concert starts at 7:00 pm, and from 6:00 pm onwards, the public can come and take their seats in the space in front of the stage. It is recommended to bring your own chair and table as the quantity of these is limited and fully reserved.
A big thank you to all our valuable collaborators from local entities such as Aruba Tourism Authority Sui Generis, Aruba Airport Authority N.V., Department of Culture Aruba, UNOCA, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Kulture Café, Setar N.V., Jack Daniels, and Vibration PR who make the JAM concert possible. A free concert for the Aruban community to enjoy.
