Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra, Puerto Vallarta's first and only youth-based jazz orchestra, will be returning to The Jazz Foundation on Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm for the third presentation in their First-Sunday-of-the-Month concert series.

On April 2nd the Salty Paws' second monthly concert at The Jazz Foundation was jam packed, the audience overflowing and cheering. Without question, the concert was a smashing success, all the more amazing considering this group was established in September 2016, only seven months ago!

The Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra or Pata Salada Orquesta de Jazz is characterized by instrumentation in the style of a Big Band orchestra. The members mainly consist of young musicians learning jazz improvisation - the definition of jazz encompassing 3 major categories - swing, rock and Latin.

While the usual big band consists of 18 musicians, the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra has grown to 27 members. They have already given several fundraising concerts - at Act II Stages in Puerto Vallarta, The Breakers Beach Club Restaurant and Bar in Bucerías, and Plaza Caracol in Puerto Vallarta, to name a few. They aspire to give concerts in other venues throughout the country.

The whole thing got started when several talented young musicians heard the Puerto Vallarta Big Band play on the Malecón. Inspiration struck and a jazz workshop formed. Led by the young, impassioned Founder and Director Victor Kris, it quickly evolved into a full jazz ensemble - and expanded beyond the usual jazz instrumentation, and includes violins, flutes and clarinets, adding innovative dimensions to the ensemble. Shortly afterwards, the founding members voted to name the jazz orchestra "Salty Paw" or "Pata Salada," which means a person from Puerto Vallarta.

The first semester took place mostly at Biblioteca Los Mangos, starting with the first rehearsal Saturday, September 10, 2016. The Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra has since resided at the American School. The support of both institutions has been crucial to the survival and blossoming of the Salty Paws. A huge thank you for this help, which was definitely needed and is really appreciated.

The program is based on many concepts and practices that Kris learned himself in public school and masterclass workshops in Arizona. There is nothing like this in Puerto Vallarta and, as far as Kris knows, quite possibly in all of Jalisco. The course offers an academic base of jazz history, music theory, and ensemble. Kris focuses on teaching individuals to be themselves, to be proud of who they are and what they can create in the moment, while having fun.

The course is available to anyone who would like to hear and learn about jazz. If you can play an instrument, you can play with the Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra. If you're interested, contact Victor Kris at saltypawjazz(at)gmail.com, or via Facebook. Rehearsals are at the American School every Saturday from 2 pm to 4 pm and also on two week days at a different location.

The Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra, which is part of the newly formed Asociación Civil (AC), Instituto de Artes Musicales Puerto Vallarta (I AM PV), is a privately funded program that relies solely on fundraisers and donations from the community.

As the first youth-based jazz orchestra in the history of Puerto Vallarta, the Salty Paws are honored to be a proud part of this great community. The Salty Paw Jazz Orchestra is active 12 months a year, so stay tuned for future concerts!