Presented in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, and sponsored by Daimler, Paquito D’Rivera will serve as the evening’s "Maestro of Music" and the festival’s Artistic Advisor.  D’Rivera is a nine-time Grammy winner, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, successful author of both fiction and non-fiction, and a veritable “Pied Piper” of the clarinet and saxophone.  He welcomes audiences to the festival with his uniquely “Latin-traverses-all-cultures” musical magic.  Sharing the Gala stage with D’Rivera is Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island String Quartet featuring David Balakrishnan (violin), Mads Tolling (violin), Jeremy Kittel (viola) and Mark Summer (cello).  The Turtle Island String Quartet, whose name is derived from Native American mythology, has become a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings.  Cellist Yo-Yo Ma proclaims the group “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground – authentic and passionate.”                                             

Sponsored by Daimler in association with the Inter-American Development Bank

Venezuelan pianist and composer, Benito Gonzalez, is turning heads for his critically acclaimed debut album, "Starting Point" (featuring Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean, and Ron Blake), and as the winner of the 2005 Great American Jazz Piano Competition. Gonzalez’s music originates from an enticing fusion of traditional jazz, Latin, and world rhythms sure to impress any lover of jazz. Joining Benito this evening will be Essiet Essiet on bass and Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums.

In association with the Kennedy Center

Native Washingtonian Jamie Broumas has been described as “one of the city’s true jazz singers,” by Washingtonian magazine. With a mellifluous voice, an ease of range, and the ability to captivate any audience, Jamie is DC’s “best-kept secret” according to The Washington Post. Jamie has performed with the likes of Cyrus Chestnut, Larry Willis, and Herb Ellis. A former member of the Grammy-nominated jazz vocal group Rare Silk, Jamie’s performance is guaranteed to be extraordinary.
 

Cuban alto saxophonist Luis Faife is “Cubano 100%”. Based in Washington, DC, Faife is making a name for himself performing at festivals such as the JVC International Jazz Festival in Montreal and the Berlin International Jazz Festival. He has performed with notable Cuban bands including Maraca Otra Vision, and with his own Afro-Cuban Music Quartet in Havana. A sight to be seen and heard, Faife brings the taste of Cuba to our nation’s capital with his blend of bebop and Latin-tinged jazz.