Tito Ramoneda: "In a current moment that is truly scary, jazz brings us together"

BarcelonaThe Barcelona Jazz Festival celebrates 60 years with a commemorative triennium (2026-2028) that begins with an edition featuring artists such as Zucchero, Andrea Motis, Branford Marsalis, Samara Joy, Dianne Reeves and Ramon Mirabet, among others. "Barcelona and jazz share the same spirit of freedom. In a current moment that is truly frightening, jazz unites us," says Tito Ramoneda, president of The Project, the promoter organizing the festival. The presentation event was held this Wednesday at the Palau de la Música, the same place where musician Dave Brubeck inaugurated the first edition in 1966. "The Palau is also the home of jazz," remarks the general director of the Palau de la Música, Joan Oller.

The 58th edition, which began in the summer with performances by Van Morrison and Pat Metheny, will offer 77 concerts in eleven venues until the end of December, with more than 600 musicians, 60% of whom are linked to the Catalan and national scene. Under the slogan "Barcelona is jazz," the festival has been declared an Event of Exceptional Public Interest by the Ministry of Culture, which entails various tax benefits for promoters and sponsors. "We are working to make Barcelona the international capital of jazz in 2028," explains Ramoneda.

This year's edition, the first movement of a three-act celebration, will resume on September 29 at the Palau de la Música with a concert by Italian musician Zucchero. Also performing on October 16 will be Dominican pianist Michel Camilo with a trio completed by Ricky Rodríguez and Antonio Sánchez. Furthermore, Andrea Motis will premiere a project with Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa.

Among the big names of the season, the quartet of American saxophonist Branford Marsalis stands out, which will perform on November 3 together with Dianne Reeves, one of the great voices of modern jazz. Another moment that generates great anticipation is the festival debut of singer Samara Joy, named best new artist by Jazz Times magazine in 2021. Other artists such as Ramon Mirabet, Nate Smith and Kyle Eastwood, son of filmmaker Clint Eastwood, complete the program.

Jazz at Park Güell

The prologue of this edition will be held on October 12th at Park Güell: Blues for Tete, a festive day with free access in homage to two global jazz icons such as Tete Montoliu and Bebo Valdés. During the event, the posthumous Gold Medal will be awarded to the Barcelona-born pianist, which will be collected by his daughter, Núria Montoliu. Exceptionally, a second Gold Medal will also be presented to the Sant Andreu Jazz Band, which this year is the subject of the festival's artist portrait. As special guests, the day will feature the father-daughter duo formed by Horacio and Lucia Fumero, as well as performances by Cucurucho Valdés, the Cuban musician's grandson, and Javier Colina.

At the Jamboree Hall in Barcelona, which just a few weeks ago announced that it will no longer schedule its own concerts, the American trumpeter Eddie Henderson, a member of the famous Herbie Hancock's band, will perform. Musicians such as guitarist Niño Josele and pianist Ethan Iverson with the Liceu Big Band will pass through the Liceu Conservatory. As is customary, the festival will include its own flamenco series, featuring artists such as guitarist Vicente Amigo, the flamenco band Las Migas, and the flamenco singer of the moment, Israel Fernández.