Panama City Jazz Festival 2022 Lineup

The Panama City Jazz Festival is just around the corner, and jazz enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year's lineup. As we count down the days until the festival kicks off, it's a great time to reflect on some of the incredible music that has been released in recent years. In fact, 2023 was a remarkable year for jazz, with a plethora of exceptional albums that showcased the genre's versatility and creativity.

One album that stood out from the rest is George Burton's holiday-themed work, The Yule Log (self-release, 2023). This recording breathes new life into old tunes, musically restoring some of the magic of the season. It's an excellent example of how jazz can be used to reimagine and reinterpret classic sounds.

Of course, no discussion of jazz would be complete without mentioning some of the genre's most esteemed musicians. I had the pleasure of speaking with several musical masters in 2023, including Billy Harper, Lonnie Liston Smith, Zakir Hussain, and two artists named George who couldn't be more different in terms of their musical aesthetic: George Benson and George Lewis.

Other notable artists who made an impact in 2023 include those who composed pieces based on lace patterns, a trumpeter at the forefront of electronic experimentation, and the most prominent proponent of prepared saxophone. Additionally, two artists pushed the boundaries of the vibraphone and cello, taking these instruments to new and exciting places.

As a music writer, I had the privilege of publishing several album reviews and releasing thirty-two interviews in 2023. Many more are yet to come, and I'm excited to share them with you in the months ahead.

Despite a few setbacks at the beginning of the year, including some interviews that fell through and another that ultimately didn't work out as planned, 2023 was a productive and fulfilling year for my music writing endeavors. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have shared my thoughts on so many incredible albums and artists.

As we look ahead to the Panama City Jazz Festival 2022 lineup, I'm excited to see which talented musicians will be joining us this year. Will it be some of the same faces from last year's festival, or will we see a fresh batch of newcomers? Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain – the Panama City Jazz Festival always brings together an incredible lineup of jazz talent that is sure to delight and inspire.

Panama city jazz festival 2022 lineup