Under the name of Villanos del Jazz, the Sala Villanos (along with other venues) will host performances by leading national and international jazz artists throughout the year in order to raise awareness of this genre among all ages. Most of the programme takes place in October and November, in conjunction with JAZZMADRID. Madrid International Jazz Festival, which includes performances by artists like Duquende, Elles Bailey, Kat Eaton, Twanguero, Lizz Wright and Richard Bona, among others.
The name of the festival is inspired by Madrid’s nickname of “La Villa” and the meaning of villano as a peasant or lower class resident of a village, as opposed to someone from the noble or upper classes. The aim is to bring music to everyone and do away with the label of music for the elite few. The programme includes performances by established musicians and up-and-coming artists. The aim is for the Villanos del Jazz festival to run on a regular basis.
Jazz fusion, flamenco jazz, Cuban jazz, but also bossa nova, folk, samba, tango or mestizaje are just a few of the genres that feature in this programme.
Villanos del Jazz Concert Series
The Villanos del Jazz concert series is usually held from September to December, featuring an extensive programme of concerts (some of which are the prelude to JAZZMADRID. Madrid International Jazz Festival) which is held at various venues across Madrid, with the Sala Villanos as the main space, along with others, such as the Fernán Gómez Cultural Centre.
The programme is presented as eclectic, diverse and inclusive, embracing different musical styles in which jazz is the common denominator. Established artists with great reputations will join emerging artists who stand out on their own merits.
Among the artists participating in the 2026 edition, the vocalist and bass player from Cameroon, Richard Bona, one of the world’s greatest bass players, stands out, who will be on stage in a quintet format with his exuberant immersion in jazz fusion with the roots and warmth of African music.
The characteristic twang of the guitar of Diego García “Twanguero”, winner of a Latin Grammy and nominated for Goya Awards, will also form part of the concert series, as well as the British artist Kat Eaton, one of the major assets of today’s soul jazz from the British isles; Lizz Wright, one of the best voices in the intersection between jazz, gospel, blues or soul; and the British singer, songwriter and pianist Elles Bailey.
The concert series also includes the participation of the flamenco singer Duquende, who will be on stage accompanied by Joni Jiménez on the guitar Rapico, El Barullo and Pol Vaquero clapping. The programme is rounded off with artists like Agnes Nunes, Julia Rodríguez, D.K. Harrell, Ana Popovic, Laura Misch, Will Jacobs & Marcos Coll Band, Clara Peya, Ibrahim Maalouf, Gustavo Díaz Quartet, Alfa Mist, Tom Ribeira, Mark Guiliana Beat Music, Nate Smith, Vincen García and Judith Hill, among others.
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