The 16th edition of Riviera Maya Jazz Festival closed a prosperous 16th annual run, where some of the genre’s biggest international names delighted thousands of attendees on the shores of Playa Mamitas.

On the first night, bossa nova icon Bebel Gilberto surprised the audience with new rhythms from her upcoming record. Lori Williams and Bob Baldwin fused traditional piano sounds with innovative vocal expressions. Kike Pat, a Quintana Roo native, dedicated his set to late jazz pioneer Fernando Toussaint during a performance that celebrated the Mayan roots of the festival’s home.

Multimedia artist Cristina Morrison, guitarist Paco Rosas, and contemporary band Drew Tucker & The New Standard played the festival’s second night, scoring sounds of bossa, samba and funk on one of the event’s most worldly nights. Headliner and nine-time Grammy winner Norah Jones closed the night in her own sublime style, attracting a record-breaking audience of an estimated more than 20,000 guests.

Riviera Maya Jazz Festival’s third and final night made attendees dance with Pepe Hernandez’s Latin jazz, followed by the awe-inspiring skill of world-renowned Lalah Hathaway. Bobby McFerrin provided a spectacular grand finale that reinforced the importance of Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, a free event that has drawn huge world talents; national and international visitors; and press coverage from Mexico, United States and Canada.

Darío Flota Ocampo, Director of the Quintana Roo Tourism Board and festival organizer, emphasized the positive mood and participation of the audience, who in spite of record-breaking crowds enjoyed the performers and ensured another successful Riviera Maya Jazz Festival.