Panama Jazz Festival Dedicated to Randy Weston

With the moto “From America's Heart to the World,” the Panama Jazz Festival began on Monday. An increasingly popular event, up to 220,000 people from all over the world are expected to attend.

Until this Saturday, the festival will be paying tribute to one of the world's most famous pianists and composers, Randy Weston of Panamanian descent, who contributed to the diffusion of the African tradition of jazz internationally.

It features acclaimed international artists like Italian saxophonist of Indian descent Rudresh Mahanthappa, U.S. pianist Geri Allen, U.S. jazz drummer and composer Terry Lyne Carrington, U.S. trumpeter Dave Douglas, Norwegian legend Arild Andersen Trio, Puerto Rican salsa singer Tony Vega and Peruvian jazz singer Martha Galdos.

The festival was founded in September 2003 by Panamanian Grammy-winning pianist Danilo Perez who aimed to improve the lives of the country's poorest communities through music and art, and with concerts and music courses at school.