Top 10 Jazz Music Spots In Puerto Plata! 2024

Hello Travelers!!

October brings with it a lot of rainy days to Puerto Plata, it welcomes our Autumn Season and some of our local festivities, as is the Jazz Festival of Puerto Plata.

Before continuing, remember to go through our previous post about the top 10 Puerto Plata spots chosen by Juan Luis Guerra

Firstly, a little bit of history of how Jazz got to be included in our culture. Believe it or not it was a result, and obviously a positive one, of the presence of the US armed forces in the DR during World War I.

At first, it was frowned upon by some of our local musicians since its rhythm was opposite to our traditional music and it didn’t invite dancing as well as our so popular merengue and bachata do.

Secondly, despite the disagreements and in contrast of how Jazz in those days was also rejected in the US itself since it is an Afro American Rhythm it started to gain its place in our dance floors. Many years later the Jazz fans in the country have developed a platform to enjoy, create and celebrate this amazing rhythm.

Here the best Jazz Music Stops for you to enjoy a good bite and a drink while listening to our best Jazz performers in town.

1. Casa 40, Puerto Plata:

One of our great jazz music stops. Located on Duarte St. No. 40, cornering with Imbert St., on the Historical Center of Puerto Plata City. Casa 40 presents Roberto Santana, live on Thursday nights as of 8:00PM.

So, Roberto de Jesús Santana Carbajal. Born in Puerto Plata on February 21, 1990, a young and talented performer, moved by the influence of his father, a Jazz performer himself.

Roberto started learning to play the piano at 3 years of age with his dad. Then at 10 continued learning music by learning to play the clarinet; this time, with Professor José de Peña at the local Bellas Artes Institute.

At 16 got his first saxophone, which he learned to play with performers Carlos Estrada and Sandy Gabriel (Renowned DR Jazz performer). However, he states he is still learning since music is infinite, always new.

“Playing Jazz is like flying in the skies and traveling wherever you want”, states Santana, “It is the music of musicians, in which you express feelings and thoughts, enjoying every note and melody”, he continues.

2. Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club & Resort (LHVC)

Another one of the great jazz music stops. Located at Cofresi Beach, Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club & Resorts hosts Frandy Sax, a Dominican Saxophonist. He performs solo and along his band, providing his audience with two different shows to enjoy every Sunday night. An artist with national and international experience of live Jazz performances has a lot to offer to both, connoisseurs and amateurs alike.

Frandy Ruben Alcántara Castellanos or Frandy Sax was born on September 3^rd, 1980. Started his musical education at age 12 under the wing of Late Professor Don Juan Rosado, a well known musician of our National Symphony Orchestra.

At age 16 Frandy courses his musical career at ICA (Santiago) and at the National Conservatory of Santo Domingo. Frandy Sax participated in several bands as: Genry Abreu, Rafelito Mirabal, La Tuna de la PUCMM, Transit Jazz, Felle Vega.

He was honor to participate in the recordings of many renown artists as are: Victor Victor, Sonia Silvestre, Maridalia Hernández, Patricia Pereira, Los Manolos, Manuel Jimenez, Xiomara Fortuna, Sergio Vargas, Los Hermanos Rosario, Hector Acosta “El Torito”, Peña Suazo, Mañanaladie, mamajuana, El Prodigio, Fernando Villalona, Pavel Núñez, Claudio Piatini, Chichí Peralta, Juan Luis Guerra, Frank Reyes, Anthony Santos, Sonic Lab (Aruba Rock Band), Aventura.

Frandy has already enjoyed his own tour around the USA during which was able to continue performing alongside many well known artists and was awarded the Revelation award in 2017 and other acknowledgements as “The Most loved and Popular Artist in NY”, having played to former DR president Leonel Fernadez, as well as for the NY Major Michael Bloomberg, and at a NY event of the UN.

Shall you wish to enjoy Frandy’s music during your stay in Puerto Plata. Don’t be afraid to enjoy an Evening Pass at this wonderful Hotel.

3. D’Skina Bar & Restaurant, Puerto Plata

Uncommon, but another of the very interesting jazz music stops. Every Monday night starting at 8:00PM, located at Separación St., cornering with 12 de Julio St., Puerto Plata enjoys Jazz thanks to percussionist Joel Guzmán and guests.

4. Restaurante Pomodoro, Cabarete

At Paseo Don Chiche at Cabarete Beach you’ll find this famous Italian restaurant in which every Thursday night starting at 8:00PM. You can witness the presentation of several local musicians and their Jazz performances.

5. Pachuche, by C. Brugal Cigars, Bar & Cigar Lounge

Located on Beller St. #30, right next to the beautiful pink hall walk “Paseo de doña Blanca”, this unique Cigar lounge offers presentations twice a month after 9 PM. Dates vary month to month, so it is important to follow them on their social media to track their calendar.

 

6. VITT’s Puerto Plata, Umbrella’s Pedestrian Walk Street

Just blocks away from Casa 40, Vitt’s, located on the now so popular Umbrella’s Pedestrian Walk Street: San Felipe St., between Beller and Duarte Sts.

This amazing outdoors bar offers a presentation once a month during which you can enjoy the art of Jazz musicians as Roberto Santana as well as others of Bohemian Style and Rhythm.

7. Fundación Educativa Dominican Republic Jazz Festival (FEDUJAZZ)

With a current student body of 85 Jazz students this Dominican NGO offers high quality musical education at no cost as well as other community services to the youth of Cabarete and the region of Puerto Plata, with the intention of using music as a catalyst for social development.

During the 23 years of the Jazz Festival, FEDUJAZZ has generated more than 200 musical workshops with the attendance of 20,000 students.

This school organizes a presentation to show the students advances every 2 or 3 months, these are performed each time in a different neighborhood of Cabarete in order to integrate as many people from the community as possible.

For this reason it is important to check on the school’s calendar at any of their social media to keep track of their events.

8. La Bologna Ristorante, Sosúa

Our next stop is this beautiful cafe, it houses another of the great jazz music stops. Located on Dr. Alejo Martinez St. Sosúa, La Bologna is an iconic restaurant in the area of Sosúa. Here you can appreciate Art by Adolpho Faringthon decorating its walls.

Students from Adolfo Faringthon’s Art school organize what we call “Aguinaldo Navideño”. A route on which play and sing carols of our region to delight passers by.

This restaurant is host on this route every Christmas as are other restaurants in Sosúa as Margot Restaurant, for example, Nelson’s Lounge Bistro and Playero Supermarket.

La Bologna also receives these students sometimes on February to entertain guests on Valentine’s day, February 14.

 

9. Plaza Independencia, (Independence Plaza) Central Park, Downtown Puerto Plata

Every year during the last week of the month of October Central Park becomes the central stage for daily Jazz and popular cultural performances.

This year it starts on Oct. 23 with a presentation in the city of Santiago and ends on November 3^rd at Cabarete Beach. The official Jazz presentation in Central Park will take place on Saturday, October 26 at 8:30PM with the performance of Joshy & su 4 Jazz (DR Band), 2 con 2 & Latino Revolution (Cuban Band). Don’t miss it.

Also presenting during the Festival we’ll have the honor to receive at Alicia’s Beach, Sosúa on Friday, November 1^st. Renowned saxophonist Sandy Gabriel, at a presentation that starts at 6 PM with a Fashion Show.

Sandy Gabriel

He started his professional career in Puerto Plata city. Sandy started learning music at 14, influenced by his father, a saxophonist as well.

He is also considered the youngest and most talented saxophonist of our times, focused on Jazz, Popular and World Music. Sandy Gabriel Sandy Gabriel has represented the Dominican Republic and participated at different Internacional Jazz Festivals, as:

•  “Borinquen Jazz Festival” with Furito Rios, Puerto Rico 2002.
•  “Heineken Jazz Festival”, Puerto Rico 2003, with Giovanny Hidalgo.
•  “Ramajay Jazz Festival” 2003 y 2004, with Hernan Lopez Nussa, kinsley Ettienne.
•   Trinidad & Tobago, – “Festival Internacional de Jazz de Casa de Teatro” (9 times).
•   “Carib Jazz Festival Honduras” 2005.
•  “Festival de Música Europeo-Latinoamericano” 2006 with Ivan Lins.
•  “The Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival Aruba” 2007, with Michael Camilo, Founder of “Dominican Republic Jazz Festival”, and many more that our space limits to list.

In addition, Sandy Gabriel was awarded “Best Concert of the Year” in 2012 by Premios SOBERANO and Nominated as Outstanding Artist abrod in 2015.

He was the first Jazz Musician to present a concert at Teatro Nacional de Santo Domingo (The National Theater of Santo Domingo). Make sure you attend his presentation on November 1st.

However, the rest of the Festival activities will be listed at the bottom of this article.

10. Grand Laguna Beach & Condos, Sosúa

The most beautiful and popular among all the jazz music stops mentioned. Located on the 4th St. at Playa Laguna, Sosúa. This beautiful hidden treasure of Condos used to host periodic Jazz musician presentation for their guests and the community.

These took place around their pool and bar area. Unfortunately, these presentations have ceased but we are looking forward to what this interesting place will bring to us next.

Upcoming Events

And now for the FUN Part, here the activities and things to do in Puerto Plata in OCTOBER  2019. Don’t stay at your hotel or home, and join the folks to enjoy and certainly understand more of our fun and picturesque culture!

• Every Day – POP CINEMAS at Playa Dorada Plaza – Movies
• Every Tuesday – Bohemian Night  (Old Romantic music) + 2×1 Mojito’s night  at MECLAO Rooftop Lounge
• Also, Every Thursday – TBT Night (Previous years’ Hits) at MECLAO Rooftop Lounge
• Every Thursday –  Live Saxo Music at Casa 40 –  8:00 PM
• Also, Every Thursday and Saturday – Live Music at Green Jack  –  8:00 PM
• Every Friday – Karaoke and Great Ambiance at VITT’s (Umbrella street) – 9:00 PM
• Every Saturday:  Sosua Artisan Market at Park las Flores, Sosua. From 4:00-10:00 PM
• Every Thursday and Saturday – Live Music at  Green Jack  – 8:00 PM
• Every Sunday – Peña del Cigar (Cigar smoking club) at Green Jack – 11:00 AM
• Moreover, Every Sunday – Family Evening at Vitt’s Umbrella Street – Characters for kids – 6:00 PM
• Every Sunday – Karaoke + 3×2 Coronas at Lust AfterWork – 8:00 PM
• Subsequently, Every Wednesday – October Month – Dewars’ Drinks night – 2xRD250 – at Lust Afterwork – All night
• Every Friday  – October Month – Coronas’ Drinks night – 2xRD250 – at Lust Afterwork – All night
• Every Sunday  – October Month – Dewars Drinks night – 2×3 – at Lust Afterwork – All night

Further on October 5th – 31

• Saturday October 5th, 2019 – “El ultimo Instante” theatrical Play at Ivan Garcia Theater – 8:00 PM
• Also, Saturday October 5th, 2019 – Mr Chino, OPG, Camilo Taveras, Yona Ramirez + more surprises at Lust Afterwork – 8:30 PM
• Further, Saturday October 12th, 2019 – “Monologando” theatrical Play at Ivan Garcia Theater – 8:00 PM
• Saturday October 12th, 2019 – MIRIAM CRUZ Concert at Anfiteatro Puerto Plata – 9:30 PM
• Saturday October 12^th, 2019 – “5 Course Dinner Show” at Los Charros Caribe Mex, Playa Cofresi, No. 5, Puerto Plata, Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Identify: Taino, Spain, Africa, Dominican Republic: Each course accompanied with a respective folkloric dance.
• Friday October 26th, 2019 – 23rd Jazz Festival 2019  – Joshy & su 4 jazz + 2 con 2 & Latino Evolution  Jazz Concert at Plaza Independencia Puerto Plata – 8:30 PM
• Saturday October 26th, 2019 – “La gente Azara” Stand up Comedy  at Ivan Garcia Theater – 8:00 PM
• Saturday October 26th, 2019 – HAUNTED HOUSE  Halloween Party – Several Dj’s at Lust Afterwork – 8:30 PM
• Finally, Thursday October 31st, 2019 – CRISTIAN ALEXIS + Urbanova (Music and feelings)  –  at Casa 40 – 8:00 PM

Mega Adventures is the #1 excursions service in Puerto Plata, make sure you reserve your trip so you don’t miss the adventure!!

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https://www.facebook.com/FunEasyLanguageSchool/

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https://www.discoverpuertoplata.com

https://caelepop.com

www.fedujazz.org

www.drjazzfestival.com

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