The small Girona jazz temple recognized as one of the best venues in the world

GironaIn a small square behind Carrer de la Barca, at the foot of the Barri Vell (Old Quarter), next to the Onyar River, lies one of Girona's most prized cultural treasures. It's the Sunset Jazz Club, a jazz cave with a stone vaulted ceiling, bar, and dim lighting, seating around fifty people. In recent years, extraordinary musicians such as Chano Domínguez, Carlos Benavent, Jorge Rossy, and Scott Hamilton have graced its stage. The venue will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary and was recently selected as one of the best jazz clubs in the world, alongside the legendary... Barcelona Jamboree, according to the prestigious American magazine DownBeat

Since 2011, Sunset has been run by musician and journalist Alix Levy, along with his partner, Anna Gisbert, who founded the venue in 2001, when Girona had very few cultural facilities. "Amazing musicians come here who, if they played in a theater or auditorium, would fill the entire place, but here we're lucky enough to experience them acoustically and have them close by," explains Levy. He adds: "The jazz world is very small, we all know each other, and over the years, we've built a reputation that makes the best musicians want to come here." The musicians, who spread the word, love the intimate yet respectful and knowledgeable atmosphere of the audience, as well as the owners' hospitality and the quality of the instruments.

A springboard for many musicians and international recognition

In the coming days, for example, the Girona venue will host artists such as guitarist Chris Corcoran, a leading British figure in the world of blues; the avant-garde brass duo of Alex Sipiagin and Luis Bonilla; and Estonian pianist Britta Virves. Among the extensive list of big names, however, Levy doesn't want to single any out. This is especially true because, beyond the days featuring stars of the genre, the venue also programs book presentations, talks, and a host of concerts with local musicians. jam sessions who have built a whole roster of high-caliber Catalan performers of modern music. "Whether it's Carles Benavent or a student just starting out, everyone has the same right to recognition and it fills us with the same pride. A few days ago, for example, the Barcelona Jazz Orchestra performed, and three of the musicians had started playing at Sunset when they were young. This makes us incredibly happy," says the venue's artistic director.

As is often the case, however, successful projects like this one generate more buzz abroad than at home. "When we send information here, they don't pay much attention, but, on the other hand, specialist media abroad are very interested, as has happened now with the recognition on the list," says Levy. He continues: "I think the city should take greater advantage of what Sunset offers and its potential, give us the opportunity to program a concert at L'Auditori or a jazz festival that would allow us to reach a wider audience."

120 members and an amateur orchestra

The capacity of this jazz cave is small, but the base of loyal fans who fill it every week is solid and numerous. In fact, since the pandemic, Sunset has benefited from the support of some 120 members who pay monthly dues, help finance the initiative, and are involved in its operation. "We were the first venue in Spain to hold a concert after the lockdown, with a capacity of 20 people, and everyone wanted to come. So we started the membership system, to give priority to those who signed up and to create a network among our fans," recalls Levy.

One of the most active members is Francesc Adroher, a professional guitarist, who knows Sunset as a spectator and also as a regular performer in the program. "I think that in a city like Girona, having a club like this is a miracle. Talking with musicians from other cities in the country, I think we are incredibly lucky and we can't lose it," he argues.

Initiatives such as the Sunset Jazz Orchestra have emerged from the group of partners, a big band The eighteen-piece band, led by the renowned Ramon Cardo, rehearses every Monday, gives a couple of concerts a year, and participates in exchanges throughout Catalonia. Adroher was one of the driving forces behind the band and is part of it as an amateur trumpet player: "For me, Sunset is closely linked to my career as a musician. When it opened, I was 21 and just starting out. I've seen some of the best musicians in the world there, and for me, as for many local musicians, it has also been a key venue."