What is the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival?
The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival (RMJF) is a jazz music festival that’s held every year in late November in Playa del Carmen.
It’s been produced by Fernando Tousaint since 2003, with the support of the municipal institute of culture and arts, and it’s already considered to be one of the best jazz festivals in the world, with more than 50,000 visitors.
It started out as the Riviera Maya Latin Jazz Festival, but was later shortened to the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival to reflect its international and inclusive character.
Jazz Festival 2025 edition
No dates or list of this year’s participating artists have been announced yet.
20th edition of the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.
Venue
Jazz Festival Stage. Photo by RivieraMaya.mx.
This festival is free, open-air and takes place in the best possible setting: the beaches of the Riviera Maya, specifically in front of Mamita’s beach club in Playa del Carmen.
The stage, lighting and sound are all at the height of this international event and provide the ideal platform for national and international artists to share with us the best of their music.
You can usually sit on a towel in front of the stage and enjoy the festival. Snacks and drinks are allowed.
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival Line up.
The line up of the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival is always top notch and each year brings recognized icons of this musical genre:
2023 Edition: Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Arturo Sandoval, Pedrito Martínez, Iraida Noriega, Chris Botti, Snarky puppy, Antonio Sánchez and Aguamala.
2021 Edition: Brian Skonberg, Elizabeth Meza, Ravi Coltrane, Luri Molina, Kurt Elling ft Charlie Hunter, Alex Campos, Dannah Garay, Roberto Verástegui, Zaicocirco, Giovanni Figueroa, 20 varos.
2020 Edition: Aguamala, Xamán, Elite band, Diego Maroto quartet, Memo Ruiz bolero flamenco, Pepe Hernández and Paco Rosas quintet.
2019 Edition: Cucho Vandés Jazz Batá, Magos Herrera, Sr. Mandrill, Trombon Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Eliane Elias, Eliane Marrokin, UB40, pbUG and New York Voices.
2018 Edition: Kike Pat, Lori Williams & Bob Baldwin, Bebel Gilberto, Paco Rosas & PK Bnd, Cristina Morrison, Drew Tucker & The New Standard, Norah Jones, Pepe Hernández, Lalah Hathaway and Bobby McFerrin.
2017 Edition: Señor Vitalis, Bernardo Ron, Luis Ernesto Lopez, Zoar Miranda, Cecilia Toussaint, Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, Steffie Beltt, John McLaughlin, Jimmy Herring, 4th Dimension Band, Memo Ruíz Bolero Jazz Big Band, Wallace Roney, Chick Corea, Béla Fleck and Bobby McFerrin.
2016 Edition: Steve Gadd Band, Paco Rosas, Gonzalo Rubalcaba (Volcan Trio), Blood Sweat & Tears, Bo Bice, Dylan Elise, Jeff Lorber, Fisura Fuky Band, Antonio Sanchez and Migration, Dirty Loops, Aguamala and Bill Evans.
2015 Edition: Gabriel Espinosa, Resorte, Alan Holdsworth, Shela E., Guacamole, Phil Perry, Dirty Loops, Zappa Plays Zappa, Torus, Tio Gus and Zawinul Legacy.
2014 Edition: Colin Hunter, Pato Machete, TAKE 6, Jorge Vercillo, Hiram Gómez, Pat Metheny Unity Band (Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez, Ben Williams), Kenny Garrett, Virgil Donati and Chick Corea & The Vigil.
2013 Edition: Aguamala, Brent Fischer, Celso Piña, Ed Motta, Earth , Wind & Fire, Frank Gambale, Matthew Garrison, Scott Henderson, Dennis Chambers & Jeff Berlin and Jim Beard.
Richard Bona. Photo by RivieraMaya.mx.
Tickets
As always, the festival is free and open to all, so no ticket is needed. It usually lasts two or three days and starts around 7:00 pm.
There’s also a VIP section available, which has a bit less people and is relatively close to the stage. This costs around $1 USD.
Place
Mamitas Beach, in front of Mamita’s Beach Club. 28th street north and the beach, neighborhood Gonzalo Guerrero.
You can find a list of the artists and info about future editions of this great festival on the official website.
Official site: rivieramayajazzfestival.com
Rhonda Nutter 16 September, 2021 at 19:34
Who will be playing at the jazz festival in November.
Replysandra ledingham 25 September, 2021 at 0:01
where is your line up ? Who will be playing in person in Playa ??????
ReplyPet Martino 4 November, 2021 at 0:54
Who is going to be playing!? Without this information is difficult for travellers to decide if attending or not.
ReplyPatrick Freeman 20 November, 2021 at 14:26
The line-up is posted on the website.
ReplyBrian Skonberg, Elizabeth Meza, Ravi Coltrane, Luri Molina, Kurt Elling ft Charlie Hunter, Alex Campos, Dannah Garay, Roberto Verástegui, Zaicocirco, Giovanni Figueroa, 20 varos.
Sharon Bradshaw 2 July, 2022 at 18:51
Can this site be updated with the 2022 line up of musicians please?Sharon
ReplyAnastasyah 23 August, 2022 at 18:20
How can i get involved with the Production, feel FREE to contact me
Urban Jazz Suites
ReplyJazz Reporter
Mr.Anastasyah
Heather Parris 31 May, 2024 at 22:53
Hello! I have a fabulous jazz guitarist who would be fabulous for your event. He played the Cancun Jazz Fest last time it was held. Who vets your musicians? What is the process please?
ReplyFree 20 August, 2024 at 0:52
Please I form me when you get the lineup.
Reply