The Valencia Jazz Festival kicks off its 29th edition this Wednesday , June 24, with two free concerts in the Gardens of the Palau de la Música, both at 8:15 p.m.
The opening program features the Jove Big Band Sedajazz —composed of twenty-three musicians—alongside saxophonist Perico Sambeat and singer Sara Dowling, winner of the Best Vocalist award at the 2019 British Jazz Awards.
On Thursday , June 25, also at 8:15 p.m. and on the same stage, the Municipal Symphonic Band will share the stage with the quintet led by Cuban pianist and composer Pepe Rivero, under the direction of maestro Cristóbal Soler.
The program will center on Rivero’s Yoruba Suite and other pieces from his repertoire, featuring a format that blends Latin jazz with a large symphonic ensemble. He will be joined by double bassist Reinier Elizarde “El Negrón, ” drummer Georvis Pico, percussionist Yuvisney Aguilar, and Nigerian singer Deborah Ayo.
The festival is organized by the Palau de la Música. Its director, Vicente Llimerá, has emphasized that these opening concerts aim to bring music to as many people as possible.
Four Grammys and two historic debuts at the Iturbi Hall
This year’s edition features four Grammy Award-winning musicians: Maria Schneider, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, and Włodek Pawlik. Both Schneider and Spalding will perform for the first time in Valencia on consecutive nights, July 6 and 7, respectively, at the Sala Iturbi.
The rest of the international program in that same venue includes Lizz Wright (July 4), Joe Lovano with Antonio Faraò’s trio (July 8), and José James with China Moses (July 12). Włodek Pawlik will perform on July 5 at the Sala Rodrigo.
Valencian jazz and the local scene
Valencian artists feature throughout the entire program. On July 1, the Valencia Jazz “What a Wonderful World” Band will perform, featuring Cristina Blasco, Bárbara Breva, David Pastor, José Luis Granell, Joan Monné, Ximo Tébar, Víctor Merlo, and Igor Tavan. On July 9, the Gospel Factory will close out the lineup.
In addition, the “Jazz a les Pedanies” series will bring music to the neighborhoods on July 18, 19, 25, and 26, with concerts by the Isaac Romagosa Quintet, the Adriano Tortora Quartet, the Eva Serrano Quintet, and Le Dancing Pepa. The venues will be the Castellar-Oliveral Municipal Sports Center and the Alquería Coca in La Torre, next to the Pont de la Solidaritat.
Training and Generational Transition
On the educational front, the 26th Sedajazz Jazz and Latin Music Seminar will be held from July 14 to 17 at the José Iturbi Municipal Conservatory, serving as the festival’s educational component.
