Sun & Sax: Mexico's Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

Has it been a long time since you've had some really good sax? Do you even remember the last time you did something really daring, like have sax on the beach? In front of a few thousand people? What if I told you there was a place where you could shed your inhibitions and have all the sax you desire for one glorious long weekend? Well it's not a secret. Head for Playa del Carmen on Mexico's beautiful Riviera Maya for the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival and it's a sure bet that you'll leave satisfied.

The Riviera Maya is a sixty mile long swath of Mexico's Caribbean coastline on the Yucatan Peninsula that begins about ten miles south of Cancun and stretches nearly to the Belize border. The coastline takes its name from the fact that this area was (and is) home to the Mayan people and there are many places nearby to learn about Mayan heritage, including the spectacularly well-preserved beachside ruins at Tulum. And right smack-dab in the middle of the Riviera Maya is Playa del Carmen, the jumping-off place for all activities in the area and the host city of the annual Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. Many of the residents of Playa del Carmen work in industries dependant on tourism and they work hard to keep their city at the top of its game for all the margarita-loving sun worshippers that visit every year and some years ago they decided that they too needed a special place to let loose and have some fun. Thus was born the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. The festival's organizers initially thought that a night of jazz on the beach featuring artists from throughout Mexico would appeal only to the local population. Needless to say music lovers of all sorts flocked to the show and the event now spans a three-day weekend and features not only the hottest Mexican jazz groups but acts from all over the world. And what a setting the festival has! A stage is set up right on the sand at Mamitas Beach, a gorgeous spot that during the day attracts swimmers, sunbathers and beachcombers who also enjoy the snacks and cerveza served up at the adjacent Mamitas Beach Club. But when the sun has cast its last ray and the lights of the island of Cozumel twinkle in the distance it's time to get barefoot and dance in the sand and there's generally a little something for everyone to be found under the heading of "jazz." The variety of sounds in 2008 from the Mexican acts alone included P.P. Moran and Hector Infanzon playing steamy Latin music, Iraida Noriega singing with a Brazilian flair and the young ladies of the Beaujean Project performing sweet vocal tunes. There was even some rock-flavored jazz as the group Aguamala played originals and esoteric covers like Frank Zappa's "Inca Roads." American acts in attendance were equally diverse; sax man David Sanborn, guitarist Earl Klugh, Herbie Hancock and Fourplay featuring jazz greats Bob James, Nathan East, Larry Carlton and Harvey Mason all wowed the crowd with their distinctive sounds. And of course through it all the Caribbean Sea is not about to be outdone; she's making her own music as she gently laps at the shore mere yards away from the stage.

There are enough lovely beaches and activities on the Riviera Maya that there is never a loss for wet fun-in-the-sun but there are lots of other things to do as well. As you move inland from the beach the land quickly turns to jungle, much of which is dense and populated with lots of wildlife (keep an eye out for curious roadside iguanas and brightly colored parrots.) It is in this type of setting where you'll find Xcaret, a sort of Mayan theme park. Xcaret (pronounced "Ish-kuh-ret") is a great place to spend a day learning about Mayan and Mexican culture in an interactive way. The park is large and if you are in the mood for a hike there are several scenic trails looping through the lush jungle. But many visit Xcaret for the exotic animals; you can swim with dolphins or if you prefer to stay on land there are two big cats---jaguars---on display. A visit to Xcaret's recreation of a Mayan cemetery offers a surprise; the colorful and often whimsical nature of the grave markers is part and parcel of the Mayan belief in a happy afterlife. Xcaret is filled with things that represent various aspects of daily Mayan life and if you're adventurous enough you can sign up to take part in a spiritual cleansing ritual that involves a ceremony similar to what goes on in a Native American sweat lodge. Xcaret has several restaurants and bars including one that features a huge Mexican food buffet where you can listen to a traditional Mexican band and watch a horse show while you eat.

While there are many unique things to do on the Riviera Maya there are plenty of the normal things too. Playa del Carmen has a "touristy" shopping zone where you can find typical Mexican souvenirs; nearby is a tonier shopping area just in case you need to buy some new designer sunglasses. This part of town also hosts the nightclubs that throb to house music all night long. But if you truly are sax crazed, circle November on your calendar so you'll remember to visit Playa del Carmen when the saxophones, timbales and upright basses come out in full force. This year's Riviera Maya Jazz Festival will be held November 27th through the 29th.

www.rivieramayajazzfestival.com

www.rivieramaya.com 

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