Riviera Maya Jazz Festival Faces Indefinite Cancellation Amid Corruption Claims

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, a once iconic event tainted by corruption during the tenure of Darío Flota Ocampo, now Secretary of Tourism in Yucatán, has been indefinitely cancelled. Toni Chaves, the president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, stated that the festival has lost its appeal to high-profile artists, necessitating a reorganization.

Chaves explained, “The jazz festival needed restructuring. In its early days, it attracted big-name celebrities, but it gradually lost that appeal. We decided to take a year off to thoroughly analyze and revamp it. The festival was a significant event that many people timed their vacations around; it was important.”

Founded in 2003 by Fernando Tousaint, the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, has grown into one of Mexico’s most prominent music events, attracting jazz lovers from around the world. Held annually in Playa del Carmen, the festival traditionally takes place in late November, aligning with Mexico’s peak tourist season. This festival stands out for its open-air format on the beach and free admission, allowing easy access to high-quality live music against the stunning Caribbean backdrop.

Over the years, the festival has hosted a lineup of both international jazz legends and celebrated Mexican artists. Past performers include renowned names like Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, George Benson, and Esperanza Spalding, among others. The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival also supports up-and-coming jazz talents from Latin America, enhancing its reputation as a diverse and culturally rich event.

Organized in coordination with the Municipal Government of Solidaridad, the festival is aimed at promoting both jazz and the Riviera Maya as a top-tier tourist destination. The mix of jazz under the stars with Playa del Carmen’s lively beach vibe has made it a favorite for both locals and tourists, boosting local tourism and reinforcing the Riviera Maya’s role as an international cultural hub.

Chaves emphasized that the cancellation does not mean the end of the Jazz festival. Instead, it is undergoing a restructuring process, with input from the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council and local authorities.

The festival has experienced disruptions in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 edition was canceled, and while the festival returned in 2021, it was on a smaller scale. In 2022, the festival was unfortunately canceled again.

In 2023, the festival made a triumphant return, celebrating its 20th edition with a lineup featuring renowned artists such as Iraida Noriega, Pedrito Martínez, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Arturo Sandoval, Aguamala, Antonio Sánchez, Snarky Puppy, and Chris Botti.

The event was organized by the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council, led for many years by Darío Flota Ocampo. During his tenure, contracts were allegedly awarded to various providers under questionable circumstances.

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival has been a significant event for the residents of Playa for the past two decades, marking the start of end-of-year activities designed to attract tourists.