Daylight was fading in Tulum’s main square as the stage lights came up. Locals and visitors alike filtered in to the mellow sounds of the Araya Orta Latin Jazz Quartet, kicking off the first concert of the 2010 Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. The Miami-based quartet is made up of two sets of brothers—Ramses and Carlomagno Araya, and Michael and Nicky Orta—who have been playing together for 20 years.  The group incorporates their native Costa Rican rhythms into jazz standards, creating unique arrangements. Watch a clip of Araya Orta’s performance:

Things began to heat up with the arrival of nine-time Grammy winner Eddie Palmieri. The Puerto Rican performer took to the piano, accompanied by an enthusiastic orchestra. Horns raised the pulse of the crowd. In the middle of the square, a tall, thin young man dressed all in white and an athletic girl in sneakers began to salsa, furiously twirling and dipping to the music. Soon, other couples joined them. Spontaneously, the dancers fell into sync. The man in white began calling instructions and the many couples changed partners in unison, seamlessly whirling one unto the other. The energy that the dancers generated imbued the entire crowd, surging them towards the final performer of the night—India, the Princess of Salsa.

India took the stage in a vampy mini-dress and fishnet stockings.  Her powerful voice boomed out into the night, testifying to her diva status. The crowd, thoroughly lubricated with alcohol and sweat from the humid night air, was loose and vocal, often singing along with the princess. Several songs into the performance, a special guest joined India on stage, evoking a massive roar from the crowd. The guest was Juan Gabriel, Mexican pop icon. Gabriel performed one number with India and then slipped away offstage again. India kept the party going for another hour, until the last strains of music died away at 12:30 a.m., and the revelers faded off into the sultry Yucatan night.

Fans of vicarious travel will soon have a new show to tune in: Music Voyager. The program begins broadcasting this month on PBS, Nat Geo Music & Adventure, and other television outlets. Host Jacob Edgar (head of indie label Cumbancha and music researcher for the Putumayo World Music label) travels the globe in search of great music and adventure. The first three episodes find him in India; the second three trek through Jamaica. Local musicians guide him in each location, and viewers get a backstage pass to festivals, recording studios, and little-known venues. Enjoy the journey!

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, June 11-14, 2009
Manchester, Tennessee
100+ bands perform on 10 stages on 700 acres of rural Tennessee farmland.
Visit the website.

CMA Music Festival, June 11-14, 2009
Nashville, TN
“Country Music’s Biggest Party” is hosted for the 38th time by the Country Music Association.
Visit the website.

Caribana, June 2009
Toronto, Canada
North America’s largest Caribbean festival.
Visit the website.

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, June 19-21, 2009
Boonville, CA
A world music festival with a reggae focus.
Visit the website.

KCRW’s World Festival, Summer 2009 (first concert is June 21, 2009)
Los Angeles, CA
World music concert series at the famous Hollywood Bowl.
Visit the website.

Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland, July 1-5, 2009
Dublin, Ireland
Ireland’s largest guitar festival.
Visit the website.

Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, July 1-12, 2009
Montréal, Canada
This is the world’s largest jazz festival with 3000+ artists from 30 countries. Visit the website.

Roskilde Festival, July 2-5, 2009
Denmark
Northern Europe’s largest music festival.
Visit the website.

Country Music Festival of Mirande, July 9-14, 2009
Mirande, France
Europe’s largest country music festival.
Visit the website.

Rainforest World Music Festival, July 10-12, 2009
Sarawak, Indonesia
Visit the website.

The Royal Windsor Beer & Jazz Festival, August 12-16 2009
Windsor, England
Visit the website.

World Music Festival: Chicago 2009, September 2009
Chicago, IL
This one-week festival is in its 12th year and is celebrated at venues throughout the city. Some events are free.
Visit the website.