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56th Jazzaldia Festival

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Courtesy Jazzaldia Festival

By Paul Combs
September 6, 2021
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This is what I call a real jazz festival.
—Kenny Barron

56th Jazzaldia Festival
Various venues
Donostia/San Sebastián, Spain
July 21-25, 2021

This was the 56th edition of the Jazzaldia Festival in Donostia/San Sebastián, the capital of Gipuzcoa province in the Pais Vasco region on the north coast of Spain. With a population of roughly 200,000, and popularity as a tourist location, it is able to host this, and other music festivals. While perhaps not as well-know in the US as the North Sea or Montreux festivals, Jazzaldia is, by its longevity and quality of presentation, one of the major European jazz festivals. Starting in 1966, with a two-day festival built around a competition for European amateur bands and American guitarist Mikey Baker's professional band, Jazzaldia has grown steadily to its present stature. By its 50th edition it presented 132 performances on 20 stages with a total attendance of 175,000. This year, despite the limitations imposed by COVID-19, the festival spanned five days with a total of 60 concerts (both ticketed and free) taking place in eight venues located throughout the city.

Over the years Jazzaldia has presented many notable jazz artists both European and American. In the early years, not surprisingly, the Americans were ones who were living in Europe, like

Bill Coleman

trumpet
1904 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Coleman,

Johnny Griffin

saxophone, tenor
1928 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Griffin, and

Lucky Thompson

saxophone
1924 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Lucky Thompson. By 1984, the 19th edition featured none other than

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis as one of the headliners. In the twentieth edition the headliners were

Jack DeJohnette

drums
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition, the

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett Trio, the Newport Jazz All Stars, the

Count Basie

piano
1904 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie Orchestra Directed by

Thad Jones

trumpet
1923 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Thad Jones, the

Sun Ra

piano
1914 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Sun Ra Intergalactic Arkestra,

Ray Charles

piano and vocals
1930 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Charles and Orchestra, as well as an all-star group of Spanish jazz musicians. By 1988, the 22nd edition, the festival had outgrown the rationale for a contest of amateur musicians, and presented a full program of professional groups representing the stylistic diversity of the art form.

Trinidad Plaza -the main stage

Kenny Barron

piano
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Barron said at his press conference, "This is what I call a real jazz festival, the main act is not smooth jazz or [pop]." Indeed, while there have been clearly non-jazz acts included, such as Gloria Gaynor in 2016, or The Pretenders in 2017, these have been presented on special stages, and the main stage, Plaza del la Trinidad -or Trinitate Plaza in Basque -is reserved for jazz performers, or in some cases those from other genres in collaboration with jazz performers. This year's festival continued that tradition.

The Plaza de la Trinidad stage was host to a series of excellent two-act concerts, spanning a wide range of approaches to jazz performance. The first was

Dave Douglas

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Douglas in collaboration with the veteran Italian jazz pianist

Franco D'Andrea

piano
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Franco D'Andrea, supported by the Italian bassist Frederica Michisanti and American drummer

Dan Weiss

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Weiss. D'Andrea and Douglas have a long-standing friendship, and a compatible approach to composition. The younger Michisanti and Weiss were certainly up to the task, bringing three generations of creative musicians together on the stage. D'Andrea had also given a solo recital that morning next door to the plaza at the San Telmo Museum.

The second set performers were

Cecile McLorin Salvant

vocals
b.1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecile McLorin Salvant—who first appeared here in 2018—and

Sullivan Fortner

piano
b.1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Sullivan Fortner—two outstanding performers. They have been working together for a while now, and with their combined talents are able to explore Cécile's wide repertoire fluidly. As a special treat for this audience, they saved three songs in Spanish for last, to the delight of their Pais Vasco audience. The duo had also given a special concert on Sunday, July 18 ahead of the Festival proper at Chillida Leku, an outdoor venue in the southern suburbs of Donostia/San Sebastián,.

The second night saw multi-Grammy Award winner

Gonzalo Rubalcaba

piano
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Gonzalo Rubalcaba, one of the leading figures of Afro-Cuban jazz, and

Aymée Nuviola

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Aymée Nuviola, singer, composer and actress. It was a performance similar to that of McLorin Salvant and Fortner the previous night, in that it paired a dynamic singer with a pianist who is a master of the orchestral potential of the instrument. Aymée and Gonzalo, met as children in their home city of Havana. Their mothers were friends and they shared the same piano teacher. In time, their lives and careers took separate paths to success. Now, 20 years later they reconnected to pay a musical tribute to their roots, their mothers, and the musical influence of Havana with a repertoire of Cuban classics, as well as their own compositions.

They were followed by the great Cuban pianist

Chucho Valdes

piano
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Chucho Valdes, accompanied by

Reinier 'Negrón' Elizarde

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Reinier 'Negrón' Elizarde, bass,

Georvis Pico

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Georvis Pico, drum kit, and

Pedro Pablo Rodríguez

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Pedro Pablo Rodríguez, percussion. Chucho Valdés is one of the most influential figures of modern Afro-Cuban jazz, with an extensive career of more than 60 years that includes multiple Grammys, among many other awards. He is the son of the equally revered pianist

Bebo Valdes

piano
1918 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Bebo Valdes, who received the Donostiako Jazzaldia Award in 2003. At this concert Chucho was presented with this same award. It came as a surprise to him, and he was deeply moved, finishing the concert with even more fire than at the beginning of his performance.

For night three, the 9:00 concert at Trinitate Plaza paired the trio of pianist

Marco Mezquida

piano
b.1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Marco Mezquida, cellist Martín Meléndez and percussionist Aleix Tobias with the All Star Quartet quartet of Kenny Barron, including vibraphonist

Steve Nelson

vibraphone
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Nelson, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer, Jonathan Blake. Mezquida draws his inspiration from a variety of sources, including classical composers like Liszt, Albéniz, and Ravel, jazz musicians like Keith Jarrett, and Spanish folk music. The concert was a study in contrasts, the younger musicians with a fresh take on the piano trio, and a somewhat flamboyant presentation, the veterans with an inspired but business-like presentation. The audience clearly enjoyed and embraced both, many having become fans at both leaders' previous appearances.

The fourth Trinitate Plaza concert presented a pair of multicultural artists with roots in the Middle East: Franco-Syrian Na?ssam Jalal, and

Noa

" data-original-title="" title="">Noa (Achinoam Nini), born in Isreal but raised in the U.S. While neither addressed their opinions and concerns directly with their performance, sharing the stage spoke clearly of their common advocacy for peace in the troubled region. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Na?ssam Jalal & Rhythms Of Resistance played music from their 2021 release Un Autre Monde (Les Couleurs du Son). Na?ssam Jalal plays flute, the folkloric flute ney ,and sings, accompanied

Mehdi Chaïb

saxophone, soprano

" data-original-title="" title="">Mehdi Cha?b tenor & soprano sax,

Karsten Hochapfel

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Karsten Hochapfel, guitar & cello,

Damien Varaillon

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Damien Varaillon, bass, and

Arnaud Dolmen

drums
b.1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Arnaud Dolmen, drums. In the second half of the concert

Noa

" data-original-title="" title="">Noa, vocals & percussion, and and her accompanist for the last 30 years

Gilset Mora Amador

" data-original-title="" title="">Gilset Mora Amador, guitar & vocals, were accompanied on some of the numbers by the esteemed Basque pianist I?aki Salvador. Noa and Dor were ostensibly celebrating the 2021 release of a recording of American Songbook songs, Afterallogy (Naive), but most of the concert explored Noa & Dor's extensive repertoire, as well as collaborations they have recorded with Salvador.

The final concert at Trintate Plaza started at 8:00 with the Brad Mehldau Trio -Mehldau and long-time band mates

Larry Grenadier

bass, acoustic
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Grenadier and

Jeff Ballard

drums
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Jeff Ballard -and concluded with the

Bill Frisell

guitar, electric
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Frisell Trio. The guitarist was accompanied by bassist

Thomas Morgan

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Thomas Morgan, and drummer

Rudy Royston

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rudy Royston, who have worked with him frequently over the years. The program presented two artists with a similar esthetic: an introspective approach, and a love of temporal space. These artists eschew a showy presentation, and it is interesting to note again that the audience here appreciates both the more theatrical performers like Marco Mezquida and Noa, and the more business-like performers like Kenny Barron and Bill Frisell, with equal appreciation and enthusiasm.

Jazz in Spain

One of the outstanding features of the Jazzaldia Festival is the commitment to Spanish jazz musicians, and the unique influence their culture has on the sound of their music. There is also a commitment to the music of Basque musicians specifically. While this has not always been evident in the programs, the implication was there from the beginning in the contest years of the festival's early history. From 1980 through 1987, even as the festival was increasingly able to attract major performers from the U.S., there was a specifically Basque competition. From the mid-'80s the big acts were predominantly touring Americans and some Europeans, however local regional musicians were appearing on the smaller stages. In the next decade more Spanish musicians would perform on the big stages, probably as a result of the evolution of these as major artists. By 2012 Basque musicians were being promoted vigorously.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused the Festival to focus even more on "local" performers, since there were no touring acts to book. After more than fifty years, there was no appetite for just canceling Jazzaldia for 2020. The resulting smaller event was still a success, and celebrated the high quality of jazz musicians from areas close to home. At the time the 2021 festival was being organized, it still was not known if any American musicians would even be allowed to tour, or feel safe in doing so. The initial plans were for a line-up similar to that of 2020. In the end the four acts on the Trinite stage, along with Dave Douglas apparently traveling solo, and the two Cuban maestros were able to come. Still, the balance of performers were "home grown," making this a wonderful opportunity for foreign attendees to hear some musicians that perhaps were unknown to them.

In addition to their own bookings Jazzaldia has, on various occasions, hosted mini-festivals organized by other organizations, mostly from within Spain. This year the beautiful Victoria Eugenia Theater was the venue for both. The first concert was devoted to La Locomotora Negra, a 17-piece big band from Catalonia celebrating its 50th anniversary, and its third time performing here at the festival, which made this a very special concert. Accordingly, four of the founding members of the band gave a press conference, and the band was given the Donostiako Award—the second one this year and a special honor. Starting as a quintet inspired by early swing artists like Fletcher Henderson,

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong, they grew to a full big band —seven brass, five reeds, and four rhythm instruments. During the fifty years of its existence it have performed extensively, and released 19 albums. This was to be its last visit to Jazzaldia, suggesting it would disband soon after, and definitely going out on a high note.

The remaining concerts at Victoria Eugenia comprised the festival-within-the-festival titled JazzE?e, organized under the auspices of SGAE, the Spanish equivalent of ASCAP. These four concerts presented two groups each. On Jul 22, day two of Jazzaldia, these were the Ariel Bringuez Quintet and the Caminero Quintet.

Tenor saxophonist Ariel Brínguez is from Cuba, and has taken up residency in Europe, performing with many artists well-known in Spain and Europe in general. In his part of the concert he played music from his 2016 recording, Nostalgia Cubana (Cezanne Records), interpretations of Afro-Cuban dance rhythms like bolero and danzón, and a tribute to the era of the '50s, and artists like Bola de Nieve, José Antonio Méndez, Eliseo Grenet. In addition to Brínguez, the band included

Pablo Gutierrez

" data-original-title="" title="">Pablo Gutierrez, piano,

Javier Sanchez

bandoneon

" data-original-title="" title="">Javier Sanchez, guitar,

Reinier 'Negrón' Elizarde

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Reinier 'Negrón' Elizarde 'El Negrón,' bass, and

Georvis Pico

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Georvis Pico, drums. Bassist and composer Pablo Martin Caminero's band included Bringuez;

Carlos Martin

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Carlos Martin, trombone, Moisés Sánchez, piano, and

Michael Olivera

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Olivera, drums. In writing for this band, Caminero draws on traditional flamenco forms and rhythms such as granaína, siguiriya, bulería or soleá.

The second day of JazzE?e presented two Spanish pianists, Daniel Garcia and

Chano Dominguez

piano
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Chano Dominguez. Rising star Daniel Garcia, a student of

JoAnne Brackeen

piano
b.1938

" data-original-title="" title="">JoAnne Brackeen and

Danilo Pérez

piano
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Danilo Pérez, among others, played in a trio with bassist Reinier Elizarde 'El Negrón,' who played with Brínguez, and drummer Michael Olivera, who played with Martin Caminero the day before. His music draws on Hispanic rhythms like flamenco and tango, and includes spare and tasteful use of electronics. The internationally acclaimed pianist Chano Dominguez, a recipient of last year's Donostiako award, is known for drawing on his roots in flamenco, as well as his abilities as a straight-ahead jazz pianist. Active for many years in both Europe and the U.S., he has collaborated with many American artists,

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis, Jack DeJohnette,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock,

Jerry Gonzalez

trumpet
1949 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerry Gonzalez, and

Joe Lovano

drums
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Lovano, among them. His popularity here made this the only sold-out concert in the JazzE?e series. He was joined by bassist

Horacio Fumero

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Horacio Fumero and drummer

David Xirgu

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">David Xirgu.

The third JazzE?e concert at the Victoria Eugenia Theater featured the quintet Smack Dab and the trio Sumrrá. The five Catalonian musicians of Smack Dab—drummer Joan Casares, Lluc Casares, sax, Oriol Vallès, trumpet, J?el González, piano, and Pau Sala, bass—have been together for six years, and have performed and/or recorded with several veteran musicians including

Jesse Davis

saxophone, alto
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Jesse Davis and

Vincent Herring

saxophone, alto
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Vincent Herring. In contrast to the straight-ahead hard-bop approach of Smack Dab, Sumrrá have established an avant-guarde and humorous style during their 21 years together. Pianist

Manuel Gutierrez

" data-original-title="" title="">Manuel Gutierrez, bassist Xacobe Xurxo Martínez, and percussionist Luis Alberto Rodríguez Legido, made music full of zany, but musically sound surprises.

The final day of JazzE?e featured the Alma Carets Quintet and Manolo y Curra. Alma Carets plays trumpet, but her focus is on singing and arranging the music. Her compositions and arrangements are very much based in the music of Spain, especially her home region of Catalonia. Her approach is somewhat similar to that of Na?ssam Jalal, an approach to the music that may be evolving among these emerging women artists. Carets was supported by

Lucas Martinez

" data-original-title="" title="">Lucas Martinez, tenor sax, Roger Santacana i Hervada, piano;

Giuseppe Campisi

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Giuseppe Campisi, bass, and Josep Cordobés, drums. Manolo y Curra -pianist

Javier Galiana

" data-original-title="" title="">Javier Galiana, and singer/percussionist María Isabel ?vila, aka "La Mónica," draw on their folkloric roots, as did the first group. Humor and theater are at the heart of much of their art, but they have the improvisation skills to bring a definite jazz flavor to their music. Of note: this singer and Noa the previous night proved themselves to be excellent percussionists to boot.

Musicians from all over Spain were presented at the free concerts, of course, along with some from elsewhere in Europe, and one American, the UK-based

Jean Toussaint

saxophone
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Jean Toussaint. These took place on two outdoor stages on either side of the Kursall Auditorium.

Kutxabank Kursaal Auditorium and more

As with any good festival there was so much to see and hear, but we would be remiss if we did not at least mention the series of high profile concerts that took place at the Kutxabank Kursaal Auditorium, a modern venue with 1800 seats (when not under COVID restrictions) across the Urumea river from the Victoria Eugenia. The five early evening concerts featured vocalist

José James

vocals
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">José James, who played here last in 2016; Latin Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and poet

Concha Buika

vocals
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Concha Buika; saxophonist/flutist

Jorge Pardo

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Jorge Pardo and flamenco guitarist Juan José "Ni?o Josele" Heredia, paying tribute to the late

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea, with whom they had collaborated frequently; ?ric Séva's Mother of Pearl Quintet honoring

Astor Piazzolla

bandoneon
1921 - 1992

" data-original-title="" title="">Astor Piazzolla in this his centenary year; and singer

Sílvia Pérez Cruz

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Sílvia Pérez Cruz, returning for a second year at the Kursaal.

Also of note, the 11:00 am piano recitals at San Telmo Museum which presented Polish pianist and composer

Marcin Masecki

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcin Masecki, in two performances exploring the music of

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk, and his modern take on ragtime, respectively, as well as those by Franco D'Andrea, Marco Mezquida, and I?aki Salvador.

There were two special concerts at Chillida Leku: the one by McLorin Salvant and Fortner, and another by guitarist/vocalist

Marc Ribot

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Marc Ribot, and his band Ceramic Dog, performing music from their 2021 release, Hope (Northern Spuy Records). For children specifically there were the four Tikijazz concerts. Tikijazz is a part of the festival initiated in 2015.

All in all the 56th Jazzaldia Festival was a remarkable celebration of the development of jazz as an international art form. Even with the limitations imposed by COVID-19 on travel, and the requirements for masking and social distancing, it was an event worthy of its impressive history. There was one positive result from the pressures of operating during a pandemic. In 2020 Jazzaldia initiated streaming of the Festival, or at least the major events. As a result one can view several performances excerpted from the stream and posted on YouTube by searching for Jazzaldia 2021.

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