WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The highly-anticipated third annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival will kick off with world-famous Santana headlining this year’s event, August 31- September 1, 2012. The Festival returns for the third year with world renowned performers including Maná, Ruben Bladés, Sergio George’ All Star Salsa Friends, Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band lead by Paquito D’Rivera, India.Arie, Jill Scott, and more, for a first-class jazz and blues concert series, incorporating the best mix of salsa, Latin, and pop! The Festival will be held at the World Trade Center Curaçao in Piscadera Bay.
“The third annual Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival will draw a huge crowd as our line-up features world famous Award-winning artists, including Santana, and many more to be announced shortly,” says Curaçao Tourist Board CEO Ghatim Kabbara. “This incredible line up is one not to miss! Travelers from all over the world will be joining us for this celebration of music, heightening awareness of Curaçao as the hottest and most cultured Caribbean island.”
Guitar legend, songwriter, ten-time Grammy Award winner and three-time Latin Grammy Award winner, Carlos Santana will headline the festival along with his band, kicking off the weekend with a performance on Friday, August 31. The guitar superstar made his debut in music in the 60s and 70s when his band Santana pioneered with a fusion of rock, salsa and jazz. The legend is renowned for his distinctive and highly-respected guitar playing skills and exceptional music.
Maná, the adored Mexican rock band, will perform Saturday, September 1 during the Festival. The legendary band has been playing since 1975, gaining huge success as they released more albums. From the late 90s onwards, their fame spread into the US and the rest of the world with the debut of their third album. The band has four Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, and five MTV Awards-Latin America, among others.
Other performers at the Festival include Jill Scott, Sergio George’ All Star Salsa Friends, Buika, Caro Emerald, Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band lead by Paquito D’Rivera, Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Trio, Waylon, Paquito D’Rivera Septet, India.Arie, Joshua Redman with Aaron Parks, Matt Penman and Eric Harland: James Farm, delivering an impressive line-up of jazz, soul, rock and Latin music.
In the week before the Festival, concerts are held on various locations on the island, including the popular party spot, Mambo Beach.
Last year’s Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, was a spectacular success for the island, attracting crowds of locals and visitors during the two days of the Festival. Memorable performances from artists Sting, Dionne Warwick, Earth, Wind & Fire and Juan Luis Guerra, and more wowed the audience.
Travelers heading down to Curaçao for the Festival can expect lively pop-up concerts and events by local Curaçaoän performers during the full week prior to the Festival. There’s no question that Curaçao knows how to throw a good party, having been recently highlighted for its music and excellent night life in “Curaçao After Dark” by The New York Times.
Day tickets for the 2012 concerts start from only $195 and are on sale NOW! For more information on the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit www.curacaonorthseajazz.com.
For more information on Curaçao or to book your trip to the 2012 Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit Curacao.com.
About Curaçao
Selected as the ‘Favorite Caribbean Destination’ by About.com, ‘Top Destination 2012’ by Frommer’s, one of the ‘Top 21 Places We’re Going in 2011’ by Fodor’s, one of the ‘Hottest Destinations for 2011’ by AOL Travel and one of the ‘Destinations to Watch in 2011’ by SmarterTravel, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35 uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches – including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the ‘Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011’ by SmarterTravel. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated outside of the Hurricane Belt. To learn more about the island of Curaçao visit Curacao.com.