“All That Jazz” jam session at the PAO residence
On Thursday, July 16, a select group of Cuban musicians, actors, playwrights, painters and cultural critics joined USINT officers and third-country diplomats for an "All That Jazz" jam session at the PAO residence.
Taking the stage at various times were such well-known Cuban jazz stars as Roberto Carcassés, Jr. and members of his Interactivo band; saxophonist Orlando "CubaJazz" Sánchez and singer Danae; trumpet great "El Greco," now playing the trombone; classical/jazz/rock guitarist Luis Manuel Molina and his group; and USINT's own in-house blues band, RockaBlues, starring HR assistant Humberto García.
Adding spice to the festivities were the Santa Amalia jazz dancers and the Café con Tap quartet, the latter starring 81-year old Abraham "Papito" Peñalver, who also serves as choreographer, teacher, mentor and coach for the four other twenty-something members of the group. USINT Havana plans to host more such events as a means of re-establishing contact with Cuban cultural figures and popularizing quintessentially American art forms on the island.