The 17th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Port-au-Prince (Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival) will take place from January 25 to 28.
The organizers (Fondation Haïti Jazz) have announced that the famous musical event will be returning to the capital. Last year, the 16th edition took place in the town of Cap Haïtien, far from the wave of violence affecting Port-au-Prince. It was also an opportunity to showcase this northern part of the country and its historic sites, such as Fort Joseph, where the festival’s opening cocktail was held.
The artists – Maria Toro (Spain), Mélissa Dauphin (Haiti/Canada), Damien Schmitt Trio (France) Phyllisia Ross (Haiti/United States), Alfredo Rodriguez (Cuba), Ingrid Beaujean (Mexico), among others – had responded to this invitation.
Although this relocation of PAPJazz was a great success, the organization has decided to return to the capital in 2024. It is not yet known what security measures will be taken to protect the artists and the audience. The Kenyan police force, approved by the United Nations (UN), is still expected to strengthen the local law enforcement, even if part of the population, as well as armed gangs that control 80% of Port-au-Prince, contest its deployment.
Beethova Obas, Richard Bona, Nanm and Cyrille Aimée are among the many artists who will be playing jazz in the capital.
