Chivas Jazz Festival was a jazz festival held annually from 2000 to 2005 in Brazil, known for high-quality stricto sensu jazz. It was one of two annual jazz festivals in Brazil when it was launched, and for some time was the only such festival. It featured many well-known international jazz musicians, and was known for its insistence on true jazz, avoiding other forms of popular music. In 2005 a change in sponsorship led to a change in name to the Playboy Jazz Festival Brasil.
History
The Chivas Jazz Festival was one of two annual jazz festivals in Brazil, the other being the Free Jazz Festival. The Free Jazz Festival was forced to close due to the anti-smoking laws, leaving the Chivas Jazz Festival as the main festival. The name is associated with the "Chivas" whiskey brand of Pernod Ricard. The Chivas Jazz Festival was held for five consecutive seasons, organised by businessman Toy Lima. From the first edition of the festival there was a strong turnout, showing that Brazil has a loyal following of high-quality jazz. The festival gained a reputation for pure jazz, with no pop artists. It also made a point of introducing artists who might not yet be known to the audience. It became known as the most consistent jazz festival in Latin America. The Chivas Jazz Festival was discontinued after the 2004 edition, to be replaced by the Playboy Jazz Festival Brasil, associated with Playboy magazine. Toy Lima continued as organiser. The first Playboy Jazz Festival Brasil was to be held in August 2005, as part of the magazine's 30th anniversary celebrations. Playboy had been putting on the Playboy Jazz Festival in Los Angeles for 25 years.
The 2nd edition of Chivas Jazz Festival was held in 2001 at the Directv Music Hall in São Paulo and the Garden Hall in Rio de Janeiro, playing at both venues from 6 to 9 June 2001. Saxophonist Archie Shepp, considered one of the greatest theoreticians of modern jazz, headlined the festival. Other leading musicians were Bill Frisell and vocalist Carmen Lundy. The only two Brazilians at the event were the saxophonist Mauro Senise and drummer Tutty Moreno. A TV film of the 2nd edition featured,
The 4th edition was held in São Paulo and Rio on 28–31 May 2003, with shows in both cities on each day. The performers appeared on different days at the Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro and the DirecTV Music Hall in São Paulo. The 4th edition featured a night dedicated to the pianist and composer Dom Salvador, returning to Brazil after thirty years. Dom Salvador was born in São Paulo but established his career in New York. Other performers were saxophonist Arthur Blythe, drummer Paul Motian and his Electric Bebob Band, saxophonist Lee Konitz, who recorded "the Birth of Cool" with Miles Davis, pianist Paul Bley and the singer Mary Stallings. For the shows in Brazil, Lee Konitz was accompanied by nine musicians who make up the Talmor Nonet. Younger musicians included pianist Jason Moran and his trio, and the saxophonist Eric Alexander.
5th edition
The 5th edition was held at the DirecTV Music Hall in São Paulo and the Marina da Glória in Rio on 5–8 May 2004. Sheila Jordan opened the show in São Paulo accompanied first by the pianist Andrew Hill and then by the Steve Kuhn Trio. Performers included,
Andrew Hill Trio: Andrew Hill, John Hebert, Nasheet Waits
