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Tonight, Teatro Regio’s 9 p.m. concert series kicks off with a top-notch program featuring renowned European and American musicians playing in Buenos Aires for the first time. Taking the stage tonight are the trio led by French pianist Alain Jean-Marie and the band Caja Negra, headed by saxophonist Pierre Bertrand – a promise of a splendid evening. Jean-Marie is an eminent pianist who has received several awards in his country (such as the prestigious Djando Reinhart and Boris Vian prizes) and accompanied the legendary Dee Dee Bridgewater, and whose rich track record includes recording and performing with jazz greats over the last 40 years. Caja Negra – the group project led by the extraordinary saxophonist, composer, arranger and director Pierre Bertrand – explores a vast world of music dominated by Mediterranean, South American and African tunes, achieving a delicious sound cocktail. Tickets are available for online purchase on this website or on-site purchase at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (10 a.m.-8 p.m.).

Today’s opening concert, at 9 p.m. at Usina del Arte, will feature the quintet led by Tom Harrel (photo), one of today’s most distinguished jazz trumpeters and composers, who will premiere his brand-new album Number 5. A while later, at 10 p.m., the “Crossings” section will kick off at Café Vinilo and Notorious. And as of tomorrow, Thursday, until Monday, Nov 26, festivalgoers will be able to enjoy all styles of jazz played by great foreign and Argentine musicians of various generations at the above mentioned venues and at Teatro Regio, and with free admission (on a first-come, first-served basis) at Anfiteatro del Parque Centenario (located at the intersection of Av. Ángel Gallardo and Leopoldo Marechal), La Trastienda and Centro Cultural Recoleta.

Teatro Regio’s double bill for this coming Thursday 22, at 9 p.m., will kick off a series of concerts featuring top-notch foreign musicians. Taking the stage tomorrow night are the trio led by French pianist Alain Jean-Marie and saxophonist Pierre Bertrand’s band Caja Negra. On Friday 23, there will be a solo piano recital by Jean-Marie and a concert by the Chilean quintet headed by saxophonist Agustín Moya. And the schedule for Saturday 24 includes performances by avant-garde guitarist Marc Ducret and his trio, in a night concert also featuring the trio led by Catalonian trombonist Ramón Fosatti. Tickets for these shows are available at very affordable prices on this website or can be purchased in person at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (10 a.m.-8 p.m.).

The countdown to the beginning of the Festival is coming to an end. From tomorrow to Monday, Nov 26, the City will beat to the sound of the world’s best jazz. So that you don’t miss the stunning program celebrating national and international talent, tickets are already on sale: purchase them online on this website or in person at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (10 a.m.-8 p.m.). Tomorrow, Wednesday,at 9 p.m., on the opening night of the Festival, American trumpeter Tom Harrell will perform in concert with his quintet at the beautiful concert hall of the Usina del Arte, in the district of La Boca (photo) – a real treat to let the music begin. A while later, at 10 p.m., the “Crossings” section will kick off at two iconic clubs of the local jazz circuit: Café Vinilo, in Palermo, and Notorious, in Barrio Norte. American bassist and composer Mark Helias with pianist Ernesto Jodos and drummer Sergio Verdinelli will play in Palermo. While in Barrio Norte, Chilean musicians Milton Russell (double bass) and Félix Lecaros (drums) will share the stage with Argentine performers Cirilo Fernández (piano), Francisco Salgado (harmonica, trombone) and Juan Pablo Hernández (guitar).

The program for the weekend of the Festival features, in addition to great concerts in different spots of the City, two clinics at Café Vinilo conducted by two remarkable instrumentalists with their own brand of style and personality. Both will be unique opportunities for local musicians and jazz enthusiasts to learn more about their styles, tips & tricks, and theoretical foundations for masterful guitar playing. First comes American guitarist David Gilmore, who has recorded and collaborated with great artists such as Wayner Shorter, Don Byron, Cassan Wilson and Uri Caine, among others, on Saturday 24 at 11 a.m. And then, on Sunday 25 at 3 p.m., there will be a clinic by avant-garde French musician Marc Ducret (photo), noted for his collaborations with saxophonist Tim Berne and regarded by the critics as a guitarist with a “highly original and very expressive” style. For both sessions, tickets are already on sale: you can purchase them online on this website or in person at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.).

The last night of the "Crossings" section of the BAJ.12 promises very good music from two continents. On Sunday 25 at 10 p.m. at Café Vinilo in Palermo, French musicians Eric Echampard (drums) and Bruno Chevillion (double bass) and African-American pianist Joel Holmes (photo) will share stage and inspiration with Argentine guitarist Luis Nacht in one of the many unique and once-in-a-lifetime events abounding in this year’s Festival. At very affordable prices, tickets for this great concert can be purchased online on this website or in person at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. 8 p.m.; Sat, noon-6 p.m.).

American percussionist and composer John Hollenbeck together with Argentine musicians Ernesto Jodos (piano), Jerónimo Carmona (double bass), Rodrigo Domínguez (sax, clarinet) and Juan Pablo Arredondo (guitar); and pianist Kirk Lightsey, accompanied by Horacio Fumero (double bass) and "Pepi" Taveira (drums), will be featured in a magnificent double bill on Sunday 25, starting at 9 p.m. at Teatro Regio. This will definitely be a special night: two renowned musicians coming for the first time to Buenos Aires will share the stage with a fine array of Argentine performers for a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tickets for this great concert, at very affordable prices, can be purchased online on this website or in person at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat, noon-6 p.m.).

In a not-to-be-missed Thursday night bill, renowned pianist Alain Jean-Marie, together with the group Caja Negra, will perform at Teatro Regio at 9 p.m. Gilles Naturel (double bass) and Philippe Soirat (drums) will accompany Jean Marie, staying true to the classic bebop trio. Also, Caja Negra, led by saxophonist Pierre Bertrand, is noted for its risk-taking jazz approach to flamenco. Tickets for these concerts are already on sale at very affordable prices. They can be purchased online on this website or in person at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat, noon-6 p.m.).

On the night of Saturday 24, two extraordinary joint concerts featuring Argentine and foreign musicians will be held at two legendary clubs on the Buenos Aires jazz circuit. The Café Vinilo, in Palermo, will host the concert of American guitarist David Gilmore and Chilean saxophonist Agustín Moya with local musicians Mariano Sivori (double bass) and Tomás Babjaczuk (drums). Elsewhere, French musicians Alfio Origlio (piano) and Jérome Regard (bass) with Chilean guitarist Raimundo Santander and Mexico-based Argentine drummer Hernán Hecht will take the stage of Notorious, in Barrio Norte, at 10 p.m. Tickets for these concerts are on presale, at very affordable prices. They can be purchased online on this website or in person at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.), and at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat, noon-6 p.m.).

The last joint performance in the "Crossings" section of the 2012 edition, taking place on Sunday 25 at 10 p.m. at Notorious, will feature talented women: Californian singer Judy Niemack and the trio led by Rosario-born pianist Paula Shocron (with Jerónimo Carmona on double bass and Eloy Michelini on drums). Apart from singing and writing music and lyrics, Niemack has built a remarkable career as an educator – actually, she will conduct a workshop during her stay in Buenos Aires – and has played with many greats like Fred Hersch, Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, Toots Thielemans and Ray Drummond, among others. And Paula Shocron’s band is one of the most promising jazz ensembles of the decade, featuring talented performers who bring a unique personality to the combo. Tickets for this much awaited encounter are already on sale on this website or can be purchased in person at Hard Rock Café, located at the intersection of Av. Pueyrredón and Av. Libertador (Mon-Fri, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat, noon-6 p.m.) and at Casa de la Cultura, on Av. de Mayo 575 (Mon-Fri, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.).