Dominican jazz fusion band Retro Jazz will kick off celebrations for its 15th anniversary with a special concert titled “Acordes del Alma” on Saturday, 6 September 2025, at the Máximo Avilés Blonda Hall of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Santo Domingo, N Digital reports.
The performance will launch a year-long series of events commemorating the group’s journey—a path marked by its innovative reinterpretations of Dominican classics through jazz. Led by renowned arranger, producer, and bassist Pengbian Sang, the ensemble has become a beloved fixture in the country’s contemporary music scene.
“When we started, I never imagined we’d make it this far—let alone have the audience’s continued support and affection for so long,” said Sang. He added that, if plans proceed as expected, the anniversary tour will conclude next year with a grand finale at the Teatro Nacional Eduardo Brito.
As part of their milestone year, Retro Jazz recently released their first live EP, “Jazzeando el Cancionero Dominicano En Vivo”, recorded during a December 2024 performance at Lungomare. The album captures the energy and intimacy of their live shows, adding to a discography that includes four studio albums. Their work blends jazz with a range of genres—swing, bossa nova, blues, reggae, and funk—breathing new life into Dominican standards and cultivating a growing fanbase over the years.
Their debut album, “Jazzeando el Cancionero Dominicano, Vol. 1”, earned them the Soberano Award for Best Album of the Year in 2012. In 2025, the group is nominated in five categories at the Premios Indie Dominicanos, further cementing their status in the local music industry.
Retro Jazz’s current lineup features Laura Rivera on vocals, joined by Guy Frómeta (drums), Edgar Molina (percussion), Álvaro Dinzey (piano), Eliezer Paniagua (saxophone), and guest guitarist Melvin Rodríguez.
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N Digital
27 August 2025