2020 RIVIERA MAYA JAZZ FESTIVAL GOES VIRTUAL
ONLINE FESTIVAL FILMED @ PLAYA DEL CARMEN, QUINTANA ROO (MX)
NOVEMBER 27-29, 2020
The Annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is considered the most important jazz festival in Mexico. Now in its 18th year, the team has decided to host the festival digitally this November 27 to 29 via YouTube due to COVID-19. The con: no beach tans while taking in award-winning music along the white sandy paradise of the Mexican Caribbean. The plus: you can tune in from the comfort of your sofa, save on airfare, and escape the dreary weather — if you’re in the northern hemisphere!
As several international artists from the U.S. and Canada were forced to cancel their tours this year, Riviera Maya Jazz Festival decided to feature a lineup of Mexican talent in the 2020 edition. During a virtual press conference, Darío Flota Ocampo, Director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Board, explains, “Considering the journey of the festival, we decided to host a digital version that would protect the health of attendees. We will showcase a tour through the past 17 years with the best local and national jazz bands.”
This year the likes of Aguamala, Xamán, Elite Band, Diego Maroto Quartet, bolero and flamenco artist Memo Ruíz, Pepe Hernández, and Paco Rosas Quintet will grace the festival stage. The organizers have also hinted at surprise guests who will be announced on their website and social media platforms.
In keeping with the traditional festival format, the musicians will be filmed performing in Playa del Carmen. For those local or braving international travel restrictions and adhering to the strictest health and safety protocols, a series of lectures, live concerts and special broadcasts in different parks and venues throughout Playa del Carmen will commence November 23.
The positive takeaway of the upcoming 2020 Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is that Mexico’s superb national talent will reach a wider international audience online and, hopefully, bring new global fans to the festival for years to come.
Festival Links
SPILL FEATURE: EVERYBODY LOVES DENNIS HOPPER – A CONVERSATION WITH MIKE SCOTT OF THE WATERBOYS
SPILL FEATURE: MUSIC IS THE ANSWER – A CONVERSATION WITH SHEBAD’S CLAIRE VOY & CICCIO SPAGNOLO
SPILL FEATURE: DIVE INTO THE WAVES WITH KATERINA NICOLE AND ‘SERENE IN VIOLENT OCEANS’! – A CONVERSATION WITH KATERINA NICOLE
SPILL FEATURE: HUNGRY FOR MORE – A CONVERSATION WITH THE NAMES
