Buenos Aires Jazz 2009 affords a unique opportunity to watch and listen the best of local and international jazz at various venues of the city. From Thursday 3 to Tuesday 8 December, the city oozes jazz.

In its second edition, the Festival remains firm in its determination to provide a programme featuring only international artists who have never before performed in the City and local musicians, both the well-established and those who are taking their first steps.

As has become a tradition, the Festival has commissioned works to be premiered for the occasion and has fostered fruitful gatherings between international and local artists, to take place at the clubs of the City.

There will be jazz in the open air, jam sessions and special activities such as a Film & Jazz season and talks under the name Musicians by Musicians. This year there's a new section, The Classroom, a pedagogical series featuring clinics, master classes and workshops as well as American guitarist Steve Cardenas, who will be acting as a “resident musician", working with advanced jazz students of the Manuel de Falla Conservatory.

The opening concert will be that of Fred Hersch, one of the finest and more sophisticated pianists of the world jazz scene. Hersch will be giving three performances, one of which will be in the solo piano format, his specialty.

The closing night is an event in itself. The Orchestre National de Jazz (France), one of the greatest jazz ensembles in Europe, with a tradition of avant-garde and excellence, will be appearing for the first time in Buenos Aires.

Six days and nights to discover and enjoy the best jazz on the best stages of Buenos Aires, a city characterised by its openness and receptivity to diverse artistic expressions.