Cuba and Spain to Contest for Latin Jazz "Jackpot" Award

11/19/2004 08:32PM

Contributed by: ARomero

(Prensa Latina) Madrid, Spain - Cuba, Spain, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela compete with seven works, at the 4th SGAE Award of Latin Jazz, the most sought-after in Latin America. The winner, chosen from the many composers applying for the top award will be granted 10,000 dollars, sources of the General Society of Authors and Publishers (SGAE) told Prensa Latina.

The call for the SGAE Award of Latin Jazz, also sponsored by the Fundacion Autor, is made every two years and its juries have been formed by legends of jazz such as Cuban pianist Jesus Chucho Valdés, Argentinean saxophonist Gato Barbieri and Spanish pianist Chano Dominguez.

According to the organizers, the award is aimed to "boost and acknowledge jazz creation by the composers of the Ibero-American community." Cuba has been the most benefited in this first selection, including three candidates for the final stage of the award, to be announced on December, inserted amongst the activities programmed for the Havana Jazz Plaza Festival.

The rest of the nations contributed with three works each one. The selection of the compositions to the final was carried out by a jury presided by Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes. Brazilian saxophonist Carlos Malta and Spanish singer Soledad Giménez were also members of the jury.

The identity of the finalists will not be disclosed until December to preserve the integrity of the award. It was known, though, that some of the compositions in contest are "A pesar de todo," "Guárdame el rio," "Nostalgia," "Pa´ Elegguá (El Tiempo)," "El Gorgojo," "Latino soy" and "Azul."

The winners will be awarded by places in this order: $9,520 dollars for the winner; 6,000 dollars for the second position; 3,000 dollars for the third, and 2,760 dollars shared by three special mentions.

[Photo: Chucho Valdés]


World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20041119203225564