Under the name of Villanos del Jazz, the Sala Villanos (although there are concerts at 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 this year includes performances by artists like Charles Lloyd, Stacey Kent, Eliane Elias, Chano Dominguez and Al Di Meola.
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.
Programme for 2025
In January 2025, you will have the chance to enjoy a performance by the CMQ Big Band, an ensemble of 17 Cuban and Spanish musicians paying tribute to the music of Beny Moré, featuring special guest Lázaro Armenteros. During the month of February, the festival will be putting on performances by American jazz singer and guitarist Madeleine Peyroux and Brad Mehldau, one of the most lyrical and intimate voices of contemporary jazz piano. And on 2 February, Sala Villanos will be hosting El Foro Blues Festival with performances by three of the biggest blues bands in the city: the Madrid Blues All Stars, Lucky Makers and Mario Siles & Agus Uribe Dúo.
In March it will be the turn of singer-songwriter and visual artist Cécile McLorin Salvant, who will be performing at Teatros del Canal; and Senegalese singer Faada Freddy, presenting his new album entitled Golden Cages at Sala Villanos.
In April, the festival will feature French soul singer and songwriter Ben l'Oncle Soul; artist Tommy Guerrero, an accomplished bass player and guitarist with influences as diverse as John Coltrane and Joy Division; and American guitarist Julian Lage who will be presenting Speak To Me, his new album full of incredible, vivid textures.
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 in various venues around Madrid, with the Sala Villanos (formerly Sala Caracol) as the main venue, along with others, such as the Gran Teatro Pavón or the Fernán Gómez Cultural Centre.
The programme is presented as eclectic, diverse and inclusive, with room for 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.
The artists taking part in the 2025 edition include the legendary tenor saxophonist Charles Lloyd, who will be performing with his Sky Quartet, featuring Jason Moran, Larry Grenadier and Eric Harland; Stacey Kent, one of today's greatest jazz vocalists; and the pianist, singer, composer and arranger, Eliane Elias, winner of numerous GRAMMY® and LATIN GRAMMY Awards. They will be joined by Chano Domínguez, one of the most famous jazz musicians to have been “recruited” by flamenco, and Al Di Meola, pioneer in the fusion of world music, rock and jazz.
See Full Programme
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