March 2003

Scenes from Havana: A Photographic Look at the JazzTimes Tour to the Havana International Jazz Festival

In December 2002, JazzTimes Travel sponsored a special tour to the Havana International Jazz Festival in Cuba. More than 200 people came to the small island for a week of music, art, culture and education.

Photographer R. Andrew Lepley brought back these images and observations from the trip. JazzTimes Travel will return to Cuba with several trips planned throughout 2003.

Camel bus: This mode of transportation was introduced in the early ’90s to help commuters. The bus can hold up to 300 people and costs about a nickel to ride.

By Andrew Lepley

School kids: I caught this group of Cuban school children who were on a visit to the Castillo de la Fuerza.

By Andrew Lepley

Lunch & music: Many of our lunches were held in beautiful outdoor restaurants like La Ferminia, where we were serenaded by strolling Cuban musicians. Rice, beans and pork are staples of the Cuban diet.

By Andrew Lepley

Larry Coryell & Chucho Valdes: The two performed together at the opening night of the Havana International jazz Festival. Shows were held in the Teatro Amadeo Roldan Theatre. Valdes is the artistic director for the festival.

By Andrew Lepley

Cigar Shop: We witnessed this demonstration of cigar hand rolling technique, being performed in the gift shop of the largest cigar factory in Havana.

By Andrew Lepley

Hammel’s Alley: This small street has been painted and decorated by a local artist. He can often be found there, still working on unpainted sections.

By Andrew Lepley

Hemingway’s writing room: This is the room where Ernest Hemingway wrote “The Old Man and the Sea”. Part of his house at “la vigia” farm, it is now a museum.

By Andrew Lepley

Jay Collins: In this shot, Collins, a member of Bobby Sanabria’s band, seems to be playing along with the images on the screen behind the stage.

By Andrew Lepley

Tropicana: On our last night in Cuba we went to the Tropicana, Havana’s most famous nightclub/cabaret, for dinner and a show.

By Andrew Lepley

Steve Turre: In a performance at the Higher School of Art, Turre worked with the trombone students. The school occupies a former country club outside of Havana.

By Andrew Lepley

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2 Comments

Jan 19, 2011 at 02:01PM Howlin' Jimmy Jefferson

Is it true that travel is opening up again? You takin' me JT?
Jan 20, 2011 at 05:14PM Lee Mergner

We hope that there will again be cultural exchange trips sponsored by JazzTimes in partnership with Insight Cuba. Keep your eye out for an announcement.