ARUBAN JAZZ VOCALIST OSDELLY LACROES AND TRIO CAPTIVATE AUDIENCES AT VENEZUELA’S 4TH EUROVENEZOLANO FESTIVAL DE JAZZ 2026

Aruban music talent took center stage in Venezuela on October 2 and 3, 2026, as vocalist Osdelly Lacroes and a trio Aruban musicians represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the prestigious 4th Euro-Venezuelan Jazz Festival (EuroJazz 2026).

Invited by the Dutch Embassy in Caracas, Lacroes delivered breathtaking performances alongside an elite trio featuring Carlos Bislip on drums, Ivan Quandus on bass, and Kyle Winklaar on keyboards.

A Two-City Musical Exchange

The delegation’s mini-tour kicked off on Friday, October 2, at the Teatro Municipal Pedro Elias Gutierrez in La Guaira, setting a high standard for the cultural showcase.

The main event unfolded on Saturday, October 3, where music lovers packed the open-air spaces of Caracas’ iconic Teatro Teresa Carreño. Performing under the theme “Caracas sounds great when music connects us,”the Aruban ensemble shared the stage with Venezuela’s famed El Sistema network, including powerful sets by the Caracas Big Band (directed by Jhosep Mendoza), the Simón Bolívar Big Band Jazz (directed by Maestro Rubén Paiva), and a special guest performance by vibraphonist Maestro Alfredo Naranjo.

Bridging Cultures Through Jazz

Lacroes’ rich vocal delivery paired seamlessly with the seasoned rhythm section of Bislip, Quandus, and Winklaar, earning enthusiastic applause from the crowd and highlighting the deep artistic ties within the Caribbean and Latin American jazz community.

The successful event was made possible through the combined support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Venezuela, El Sistema, Teatro Teresa Carreño, and Oz Shows, with official event photography captured by Nicola Rocco.

For Aruban music enthusiasts, the festival stands as another proud moment showcasing the island’s high-caliber artistry on the international stage.