Jazz in Granada – 40th. International Jazz Festival 2019

International Jazz in Granada

November is just round the corner and with it another edition of the Granada International Jazz Festival. Another year proving that this festival is a reference among European jazz festivals. Since the first edition in 1980 all the different styles of jazz have been performed at different venues in Granada and its province. Performances by a star-studded cast of international and Spanish artists.

Jazz Festival Cartel-Juan-Vida Granada 2019

Official poster by Juan Vida, courtesy of www.jazzengranada.es

The Programme

This 40th. edition will be no exception. The central programme starts on 1st. November with the Fred Hersch Trio in the new Federico García Lorca Centre, and  ends in the  Isabel La Católica Theatre, in the centre of Granada, on 9th. November with Anthony Strong. On 2nd. November, the concert pays tribute to the late Celia Mur, a well known Granadan jazz singer, composer and teacher. The proceeds from this performance will be destined to a worthy cause. The Eli Degibri Quartet performs on 3rd. November, followed by another quartet on 7th. November, the Charles McPherson Quartet . On 8th. November, and already sold out, Lizz Wright presents her new album.

Which concert would you choose? It’s not an easy choice, I must say.

Jazz in Parallel, a Fringe Festival

But this isn’t everything, Jazz in Parallel continues all during the festival and in to December. So there’s a chance for everyone to catch some excellent jazz music. I would recommend Granada’s Big Band, the Ool-Ya-Koo Big Band performing at the Caja Granada Theatre on 5th. December. As is now usual for this band in festival season, they’ll be playing the winning compositions of the Vl Competition of Compositions and Arrangements for Big Band by Spanish Composers. The competition is organised by the Ool Ya Koo Jazz Association. We have enjoyed two of these concerts in previous years and can vouch for the high standard of both compositions and arrangements.

 

https://youtu.be/YhjUooFNt7k

These parallel events, held in various venues round town and around the province, take us through a repertoire of blues, swing, soul, funk, flamenco jazz etc. Some 80 concerts, from Granada to Motríl, to Vegas del Geníl and Monachil to various jazz clubs and bars. It’s worth taking a look at what this fringe festival has to offer.

How to Get There

You can get to the Isabel La Catolica Theatre easily from Casa Tagomago. Just over 30 minutes from Restábal on the A44 motorway to Granada. Turn off at Recogidas and park in the Neptuno Car Park, just off the roundabout at the end of the slip road. Stroll along Calle Recogidas up to Puerta Real, turn left onto Acera del Casino, the theatre is a little further down on the left.

Musical notes by Susan at Casa Tagomago