This year the works were played by a top quality quintet directed by famed bassist Jorge Reyes. Sitting with the audience was a panel of 5 international judges — pianist Chucho Valdés (Cuba), pianist/composer Michel Legrand (France), singer Soledad Giménez (Spain), guitarist Luis Salinas (Argentina) and saxophonist/flautist Carlos Malta (Brazil). Their task — to select the winners. Since one of the requirements is that a voice part be included in the works submitted, two vocalists were made available to interpret the compositions — the mythical Bobby Carcassés and the young Neysi Wilson.

To me this concert was one of the highlights of the festival. Where else could you hear in one evening the new works of 6 contemporary latin jazz composers? The music was wonderful, the musicians incredible — Jorge Reyes is a wizard on electric bass. This was my first opportunity to hear Bobby Carcassés live — rhythm, scatting, he has it all. The panel of judges is to announce their decision tomorrow — I don't envy them the task.

The great Chucho Valdés is then introduced, makes his entrance and is loudly welcomed by the capacity audience. He wears a black tuxedo and makes his way to the piano sitting stage right: we will be able to watch his hands for the duration of the concert!

Chucho is a true master of the keyboard, and he proceeds to dazzle us. His fingers run over the keys conjuring complex rhythms and fleeting melodies, now soft and gentle, now furious and driving. From Jazz to Classical, from Latin to Blues, the music is blended and rearranged in his brain, flows to his hands and pours out to us through the piano.

The music stops.