Havana’s cultural scene is set to captivate music enthusiasts this weekend with a series of prestigious performances leading up to the International Jazz Plaza Festival. On Saturday afternoon, the Theater of the National Museum of Fine Arts (MNBA) will present “Yohana Pena and Jose Portillo: Habana Filin,” a special concert paying homage to José Antonio Méndez, the foundational figure of Cuba’s distinctive filin musical style. The event will feature acclaimed guest artists Lázaro Rivero “El Fino” and Juan Carlos Rojas “El Peje.”
Simultaneously, Cuban musical virtuosos including Oliver Valdés, Jorge Reyes, Yosvany Terry, Yaroldy Abreu, Roberto Álvarez, and Alejandro “Coqui” Calzadilla will deliver an extraordinary collaborative performance, serving as an illustrious prelude to the Jazz Plaza Festival’s official opening on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Santiago de Cuba, renowned pianist Roberto Fonseca prepares for a spectacular open-air performance at Cespedes Park. His collaboration with the Steel Band del Cobre promises to deliver another top-tier musical experience as part of the festival’s diverse programming, showcasing Cuba’s rich jazz traditions across multiple cities.