Havana Jazz Plaza in Dec. 2010

By Circles Robinson

Roberto Fonseca on piano at Jazz Plaza 2009. Photo: Caridad

HAVANA TIMES, Jan. 20 — Havana’s annual International Jazz Plaza festival takes place in 2010 on December 16-19.  Jazz Plaza 2009 took place in February.

This year’s festival could include the participation of artists previously forbidden by the US government from traveling to Cuba.

The possibility of getting a waiver of the US travel ban on Cuba appears more likely after the September 2009, Juanes concert tacitly approved by the US State Department.

Several Cuban bands are also being allowed to tour this year in the United States, something that was impossible under the Bush administration.

In the years preceding the Bush presidency numerous top line US jazz artists traveled to Cuba to jam with local musicians and play to a receptive audience.

Jazz Plaza will take place this year on the heels of the popular 11-day Havana Film Festival which is expected to close on Dec. 12.

For more information on Jazz Plaza 2010 write: [email protected]

See photo gallery from Jazz Plaza 2009.