24TH ANNUAL HAVANA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL: FEB 14 - FEB 17, 2008
Learn about Cuba and experience the world’s best jazz on the Havana Jazz Festival Tour. Since 1984, the big names of world jazz have taken to the Havana Jazz Festival stage, including the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Charlie Haden and Chucho Valdes (2008 festival president).
The program has been designed for first time visitors to get to know Cuba (see Jazz Cuba Website) while experiencing the best of Cuban and international jazz. During the tour, you'll attend the gala opening ceremony at the Karl Marx Theatre and the closing ceremony on Feb 17. Tour members will stay at the Hotel Riviera, official accommodations for the festival, offering numerous opportunities to rub shoulders with Cuban and world jazz greats.
Join Cory Weeds of Vancouver's Cellar Restaurant + Jazz Club and Cellar Live, and Jeff Turner of Turner Music & Events for this exciting cultural and musical adventure.
Cities and Provinces You’ll Visit
Included in Jazz Festival Tour Costs
Jazz Festival Line-up & Venues
Complete details on Havana Jazz Festival 2008 venues and performers to be announced soon.
Not Included
We’re Here For You
Questions or concerns about the program?
Call 604-874-9048 (Vancouver), toll free at 1-877-687-3817 or email [email protected]
Want to talk directly with a Cuban in Havana about this tour?
Email our island coordinator Alejandro Prez at [email protected]
When to Commit
Our Cuban hosts need to know if you'll join them by September 26, 2007 Register now! Space is limited!
Meet Chucho Valdes President of the Havana Jazz Festival
Chucho Valdés was born in Quivicán-Province Havana, Cuba in 1941, son of Bebo Valdés, important Cuban pianist and composer, and Pilar Rodriquez. In 1956, at 15 years old, he started his first jazz trio, and in 1967 joined the Cuban Modern Music Orchestra. Throughout his career, Chucho has played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Taj Mahal, and Branford and Wynton Marsalis. He has received the National Prize of Music in Cuba, both the Doctorate Honorees Causes in Arts, and Distinction of Pedagogical Merit from the Upper Institute of Art of Havana, and the Medal Félix Varela, the maximum distinction in Cuban Culture. He is considered among the five best jazz pianists in the world, along with Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.
Tour Itinerary
Day One – Hello Havana!
Arrive at Havana’s José Martí International Airport where you will meet your Cuba Education Tours guide and professional bus chauffeur who will take you to the historic Hotel Riviera located in the heart of Havana's cultural district, Vedado. Tonight you are free to settle in, rest up, dine out and explore Vedado's vibrant music milieu.
Day Two – Getting to Know the Caribbean’s Largest Capital
Tour Old Havana , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the largest collection of remaining colonial-era architecture. This afternoon, visit the Museum and Factory of Rum , and Partagas Cigar Factory . Dine at La Guardia , the location for the Oscar-nominated film “Strawberry and Chocolate" and learn how to perform the Salsa, Son, Rumba and Mambo to the live Cuban rhythms of Grupo Dulce María, before heading to Club La Zorra y El Cuervo, home to the best Cuban jazz in Havana.
Day Three – Pinar del Rio’s Dramatic Viñales Valley
Visit the Viñales Valley , home to the most interesting and varied geological formations in the Caribbean and the heart of tobacco cultivation on the island. Take a breathtaking boat tour through the Cueva del Indio and explore the Viñales village at your leisure. This afternoon, visit Carmen and Caridad Miranda's magical mini-paradise, the Viñales Botanical Garden . Your evening is free to rest up or go out on the town.
Day Four – Havana, Education, City Tour, Ancient Ceremonies
Tour the globally renowned architecture of the Institute of Superior Arts (ISA) and meet its students – the next generation of Cuban musicians. Enjoy lunch with José Fuster, one of Cuba's most important ceramists and painters, at his whimsical studio in Jaimanita. After lunch, tour the most important sites of Modern Havana such as the Capital building, the Grand Theatre, Prado promenade, the Revolution Square, Cemetery Colon, Malecón seawall, and the Miramar. Tonight witness the Firing of the 9pm Cannon at the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabaña .
Day Five – Havana, Urban Planning, Dance Lessons, Jazz Festival
Meet with world-renowned architect Dr. Mario Coyula Cowley , and view the Scale Model of Havana where you'll learn how each part of the city has developed historically, and the tough challenges facing it today. Enjoy lunch at one of Havana's most popular restaurants, El Aljibe before checking out pre-Jazz Festival events. Celebrate the Opening Ceremonies of the Havana Jazz Festival at the Karl Marx Theatre in Miramar.
Day Six – Exploring AfroCuban Culture and Doing the Jazz Fest
Visit Regla , an AfroCuban community with a long, rich and active tradition of African-inspired religions. Visit a unique church and their municipal museum to learn the origins and culture of this community. Meet a babalao (highest priest in the Santería religion) and visit the studio of Antonio Canet, master printmaker and designer. This afternoon, it’s back to Havana for all the Havana Jazz Festival happenings.
Day Seven – Cuban Art and the Havana Jazz Festival
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts' Cuban Collection where we see the evolution of Cuba's Spanish, French, Chinese and African visual arts over the last 300 years. The rest of the day is yours to explore Havana and the Jazz Festival!
Day Eight – Farewell Dinner and Closing Ceremonies
Today the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at La Cocina de Liliam (where president Jimmy Carter dined during his historic visit to Cuba in May 2002) before participating in the Closing Ceremonies of Havana Jazz Festival! This is your last chance to enjoy world-class jazz in Cuba – until 2009!
Day Nine – Goodbye Cuba!
Today say goodbye to all your new Cuban friends and travel mates.
Learn about Cuba and experience the world’s best jazz on the Havana Jazz Festival Tour. Since 1984, the big names of world jazz have taken to the Havana Jazz Festival stage, including the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Charlie Haden and Chucho Valdes (2008 festival president).
The program has been designed for first time visitors to get to know Cuba (see Jazz Cuba Website) while experiencing the best of Cuban and international jazz. During the tour, you'll attend the gala opening ceremony at the Karl Marx Theatre and the closing ceremony on Feb 17. Tour members will stay at the Hotel Riviera, official accommodations for the festival, offering numerous opportunities to rub shoulders with Cuban and world jazz greats.
Join Cory Weeds of Vancouver's Cellar Restaurant + Jazz Club and Cellar Live, and Jeff Turner of Turner Music & Events for this exciting cultural and musical adventure.
Cities and Provinces You’ll Visit
- Havana City and Havana Province
- Viñales Valley and Pinar del Río
Included in Jazz Festival Tour Costs
- Group transfers to and from Havana's José Martí International Airport
- Hotel Riviera de Cuba with daily international-style buffet breakfasts
- Jazz Festival passes to attend all event activities and concerts.
- Most meals and entertainment, including dinner at La Guarida where the Oscar-nominated “Strawberry and Chocolate” was filmed
- An expert Cuban English-speaking guide throughout the tour, together with ongoing support from the staff of Cuba Education Tours
- Son, salsa and cha cha cha dance lessons taught by Cuban pros
- Learn about AfroCuban culture and visit a babalao: santeria priest
- Tour the Superior Institute of Art and Museum of Modern Art
- Meet painter and ceramist José Fuster at his whimsical home studio
- Tour Partagas Cigar Factory and the Museum of Rum
- Explore the Cueva del Indio (cave) and the Viñales Botanical Gardens
- Luxury air conditioned coach transportation and professional driver
- All activities, speakers, meetings and meals as described in itinerary except those noted as “optional" or “not included in cost"
Jazz Festival Line-up & Venues
Complete details on Havana Jazz Festival 2008 venues and performers to be announced soon.
- 9 Day/ 8 Night Program Costs
- $1,992.00* USD for residents of the United States
- $2,396.00* CAD for residents of Canada
- *Tour costs based on DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY. Includes all taxes.
- Additional charge for a single room for duration of trip:
- $199.00 USD for residents of the United States
- $236.00 CAD for residents of Canada
- Register today to ensure your participation.
- A deposit of $500.00 is required to secure your place .
Not Included
- International airfare. Call us for special rates at 1-877-687-3817 toll free.
- Activities listed as “optional" or “not included in cost" in itinerary
- Gratuities for Cuban tour guide, bus driver, chambermaids, restaurant staff, porters, etc
- Cuban airport departure tax of $25.00 CUC, $28.00 USD, $33.00 CAD
- Meals other than breakfasts unless noted above or in itinerary as included
- Airport transfers in Cuba if arriving on flights separate from group air schedule
- Optional travel interruption and health insurance
We’re Here For You
Questions or concerns about the program?
Call 604-874-9048 (Vancouver), toll free at 1-877-687-3817 or email [email protected]
Want to talk directly with a Cuban in Havana about this tour?
Email our island coordinator Alejandro Prez at [email protected]
When to Commit
Our Cuban hosts need to know if you'll join them by September 26, 2007 Register now! Space is limited!
Meet Chucho Valdes President of the Havana Jazz Festival
Chucho Valdés was born in Quivicán-Province Havana, Cuba in 1941, son of Bebo Valdés, important Cuban pianist and composer, and Pilar Rodriquez. In 1956, at 15 years old, he started his first jazz trio, and in 1967 joined the Cuban Modern Music Orchestra. Throughout his career, Chucho has played with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Taj Mahal, and Branford and Wynton Marsalis. He has received the National Prize of Music in Cuba, both the Doctorate Honorees Causes in Arts, and Distinction of Pedagogical Merit from the Upper Institute of Art of Havana, and the Medal Félix Varela, the maximum distinction in Cuban Culture. He is considered among the five best jazz pianists in the world, along with Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.
Tour Itinerary
Day One – Hello Havana!
Arrive at Havana’s José Martí International Airport where you will meet your Cuba Education Tours guide and professional bus chauffeur who will take you to the historic Hotel Riviera located in the heart of Havana's cultural district, Vedado. Tonight you are free to settle in, rest up, dine out and explore Vedado's vibrant music milieu.
Day Two – Getting to Know the Caribbean’s Largest Capital
Tour Old Havana , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the largest collection of remaining colonial-era architecture. This afternoon, visit the Museum and Factory of Rum , and Partagas Cigar Factory . Dine at La Guardia , the location for the Oscar-nominated film “Strawberry and Chocolate" and learn how to perform the Salsa, Son, Rumba and Mambo to the live Cuban rhythms of Grupo Dulce María, before heading to Club La Zorra y El Cuervo, home to the best Cuban jazz in Havana.
Day Three – Pinar del Rio’s Dramatic Viñales Valley
Visit the Viñales Valley , home to the most interesting and varied geological formations in the Caribbean and the heart of tobacco cultivation on the island. Take a breathtaking boat tour through the Cueva del Indio and explore the Viñales village at your leisure. This afternoon, visit Carmen and Caridad Miranda's magical mini-paradise, the Viñales Botanical Garden . Your evening is free to rest up or go out on the town.
Day Four – Havana, Education, City Tour, Ancient Ceremonies
Tour the globally renowned architecture of the Institute of Superior Arts (ISA) and meet its students – the next generation of Cuban musicians. Enjoy lunch with José Fuster, one of Cuba's most important ceramists and painters, at his whimsical studio in Jaimanita. After lunch, tour the most important sites of Modern Havana such as the Capital building, the Grand Theatre, Prado promenade, the Revolution Square, Cemetery Colon, Malecón seawall, and the Miramar. Tonight witness the Firing of the 9pm Cannon at the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabaña .
Day Five – Havana, Urban Planning, Dance Lessons, Jazz Festival
Meet with world-renowned architect Dr. Mario Coyula Cowley , and view the Scale Model of Havana where you'll learn how each part of the city has developed historically, and the tough challenges facing it today. Enjoy lunch at one of Havana's most popular restaurants, El Aljibe before checking out pre-Jazz Festival events. Celebrate the Opening Ceremonies of the Havana Jazz Festival at the Karl Marx Theatre in Miramar.
Day Six – Exploring AfroCuban Culture and Doing the Jazz Fest
Visit Regla , an AfroCuban community with a long, rich and active tradition of African-inspired religions. Visit a unique church and their municipal museum to learn the origins and culture of this community. Meet a babalao (highest priest in the Santería religion) and visit the studio of Antonio Canet, master printmaker and designer. This afternoon, it’s back to Havana for all the Havana Jazz Festival happenings.
Day Seven – Cuban Art and the Havana Jazz Festival
Visit the Museum of Fine Arts' Cuban Collection where we see the evolution of Cuba's Spanish, French, Chinese and African visual arts over the last 300 years. The rest of the day is yours to explore Havana and the Jazz Festival!
Day Eight – Farewell Dinner and Closing Ceremonies
Today the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at La Cocina de Liliam (where president Jimmy Carter dined during his historic visit to Cuba in May 2002) before participating in the Closing Ceremonies of Havana Jazz Festival! This is your last chance to enjoy world-class jazz in Cuba – until 2009!
Day Nine – Goodbye Cuba!
Today say goodbye to all your new Cuban friends and travel mates.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
