The XX San Javier Jazz Festival will take place between the 30th June and the 30thJuly and will be held in “Parque Almansa”, a beautiful open air auditorium situated in the centre of the town surrounded by trees, flowers and children’s play area.
San Javier is a town located next to the Mar Menor, the largest salt lake in Europe, with natural beauty and incomparable climate it lives in a constant spring.
It has some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain belonging to both the Mar Menor and the Mediterranean seas. Its two settlements “Santiago de la Ribera” and “La Manga del Mar Menor” are paradise for leisure activities and water sports.
In addition to the complete offer of services and the natural beauty of the town if you add to it the wonderful nights of the XX Jazz festival, you can be sure that your visit to San Javier will no doubt be an unforgettable one.
In this edition of the festival there will once again be free concerts as well as a ticket prices ranging from €15-€20 giving access to different acts. There is also a pass available for 120€ which gives access to all acts excluding the George Benson and Pegasus concerts.
Some of the bands and singers participating this year include:
MINGO – COLOMA – SIMÓN BLUES EXPRESS
Mingo Balaguer, one of the most recognised blues harmonists in Spain. The leader of the group Mingo & The Blues Intruders and former member of the legendary Blues Band from Seville, Caledonia Blues Band, along with the guitarist Blues de Madrid by excellence, Francisco Simón, a member of the Red House group who is also very popular for his participation in the internationally successful TV show Caiga que Caiga; Get together with the virtuous and prestigious Catalan pianist of Blues and Boogie Woogie Lluís Coloma a great exponent of the piano nationally and internationally.
All three present a musical proposal with a blunt and different sound in the traditional blues style, where improvisation captivates the audience’s attention in a show full of contrasts and strength. One of the most innovative and interesting projects of Blues which currently exist in the peninsula.
ZOOT SUITERS
Zoot Suiters is a swing band born in Murcia, made up of 7 musicians who began to create the band in 2014 and after consolidating it have jumped on stage since 2016.
Their career since then has toured major national festivals such as those held in the cities of Granada, Alicante, and Murcia and even acting on a more international level among others in the Jazz Cartagena international festival and the Swing Art Bordeaux International Festival.
The band unleashes its energy and optimism, integrating in its repertoire from great classics of the swing and the lindy hop of the 30s and 40s, such as Puttin on the Ritz or Comes love … To spectacular versions of the present pop. The life of this band immerses you into the magic of the wonderful years of the swing, and once you listen to their music you can`t stop dancing.
GEORGE BENSON
American George Benson, “an icon for the festival”, is one of the great attractions of the new edition of the San Javier Jazz Festival.
George Benson has been that man to inspire other modern day singers and bands for nearly a half century. In a career that spans five decades, more than 30 recordings as a leader and ten Grammy Awards, NEA Jazz Master,
George Benson, has used his jazz roots as the foundation for an engaging mix of pop, R&B and other shades that add up to a style that appeals to a broad mainstream audience. Along the way, he has also established himself as a formidable jazz singer – one whose biggest career hits have showcased his vocals as well as his guitar chops. In short, this guitar man is the complete package.
SAMMY MILLER & THE CONGREGATION
A native of Los Angeles, Grammy nominated drummer Sammy Miller has become known for his unique maturity and relentless focus on making music that “feels good” as a drummer, singer and bandleader. Upon completing his Master’s at The Juilliard School, Sammy formed his ensemble, The Congregation. As a band they are focused on sharing the power of community through their music—joyful jazz. While independently the band members have performed and recorded with notable artist including Wynton Marsalis, O.A.R, Iron and Wine, Joshua Redman, Lee Fields, Jason Moran at venues including the White House, Lincoln Center, and the Hollywood Bowl they have opted to stick together to create globally conscious music with the intention to spread joy throughout the world.
MICHEL LEGRAND
Michel Legrand is best known for his soundtracks for ‘New Wave’ and Hollywood, but he has also recorded with jazz greats (from Miles Davis to Stan Getz, from Phil Woods to Bud Shank) and cultivated all kinds of genres including la chansong and opera.
He has gone a long way since he first started. There are few degrees of separation between any 20th century artist and the guest at the XX San Javier Jazz Festival. At his 84 years young, the composer, arranger, winner of 3 Oscar`s and pianist still has a passion for life and lives it to the full. In his agenda there is a big red cross marked on 3th of July, when he will finally debut in San Javier and will finish the 20th Jazz Festival of the town.
Many other acts will be there, so, take a look at the link below and enjoy the show!!
http://jazz.sanjavier.es/
“Life is for the living.
Death is for the dead.
Let life be like music.
And death a note unsaid.”
― Langston Hughes, The Collected Poems