The Varadero Jam Session Festival, launched in September 2007, is chaired by the Ministries of Culture and Tourism, along with the Music Institute. The president of the organizing committee is maestro Chucho Valdés. This event takes place in Varadero, Cuba’s most important sun and beach tourist destination, located in the province of Matanzas.

A jam session means a musical improvisation session, without much preparation or predefined arrangements. The term “jam” dates back to the 1920s and refers to a short, freely improvised passage by the entire band.

This festival dates back to a similar one held in late 2003, which featured numerous musicians and concluded with a memorable concert by the group Irakere.

The first edition kicked off with a welcome performance called “A Drum to Jazz.” Participants in this first event of the festival included Mayra Caridad Valdés, Ernán López Nussa, Bobby Carcassés, José Luis Cortés, Robertico Carcasés, Lázaro Morúa, Yasek Manzano, Elmer Ferrer, Alejandro Vargas, and Roberto Martínez.

In 2008, the second edition was held, marking the 35th anniversary of the founding of the group Irakere. Performers from countries such as Venezuela and Argentina, among others, participated.

Its events bring together the most prominent Cuban jazz musicians from all generations. Notable among them are Cesar López with his Havana Ensemble, Rolando Luna, Irakere, José Luis Cortés and NG La Banda, Lázaro Valdés and Bamboleo, Chispa and his accomplices, Giraldo Piloto with his group Klímax, and Sexto Sentido, among many others.

The Varadero Jam Session Festival, also known as the improvisation festival, has various spaces such as the America Theater, the Amphitheater (Via Blanca Street and Cardenas Highway, Cardenas; Matanzas), the Jazz Club, the Cardenas Theater (Cespedes No. 526 corner Velásquez, Cardenas; Matanzas), the International Hotel, Plaza America, the House of Music (Playa Avenue between 42nd and 43rd. Varadero. Matanzas), the Mambo Club (Las Morlas Highway, Km 14, Varadero; Matanzas).

This musical event offers the opportunity to enjoy the finest Cuban jazz, from established stars and the new generations of Cuban musicians.