In spite of the difficult economic situation in which Argentina and Uruguay are going through, the enthusiastic impresario Francisco Yobino managed to present, with much success, the 9th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Punta del Este in his gorgeous "Tambo (dairy farm) El Sosiego."

The annual event opened on January 9th with the release of trumpeter Diego Urcola's new recording Sundance, and for the next three days presented on its wonderful outdoor stage jazz greats such as Dave Somuels, the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Kenny Werner, Chris Potter, Trio da Paz, James Carter, The New York Voices and the Uruguayan composer-bassist Papa Romano.

The closing of the festival was a surprise celebration of my 50th anniversary as a musician with a typical group of Afro-Uruguayan candombe drummers, and the presentation of our Grammy-winning CD, Brazilian Dreams, with my quintet and the amazing New York Voices.

By: D'Rivera, Paquito