Jazz concert now on CD

If Belize had a national music it would probably be Punta Rock followed and in no particular order by, soca, reggae, Brukdown and salsa. Somewhere, well down the line, we might hear a few votes for jazz. But that art form, which originated in the United States, has recently taken on a more Caribbean flavour, and Belize is no exception.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

On March 24th, Belize’s only Jazz band, XL performed for an appreciative audience at the House of Culture. Today, the band has compiled the best of that performance and put it all on CD.

Jason Guerrero, Bass Player, XL Band

“The Blues At The House of Culture was not our idea but it’s a name which we will accept, but it is a Jazz band and in March of this year we had a concert to honour the visit of Luciano Rosado, he is a Belizean who has been residing in the U.S for some 30 odd years now. He has accomplished a lot in the world of trumpet and he teaches trumpet to students all ages, at all levels.”

Although the concert was well attended, bass player Jason Guerrero, says Jazz music is not all that popular in Belize.

Jason Guerrero

“I would say there is a following of Jazz aficionados of a very few people, I think it will be some years before there is enough to market more CD’s on this level, maybe Belize can probably afford more than one a year, but definitely not enough for a huge market. We are looking forward to trying to change things. The group is a very good group of musicians who play at a very high level perhaps unseen before by Belizeans especially.”

If you would like a copy of Blues at the House of Culture, you can pick up a CD at the House of Culture for $25. Guerrero says the recording will be available on cassette as of June 16th at $12. The CD was recorded at Ludwig Studios in Belize City.