At the Centro Párraga in Murcia, accompanied by the music of Toni Sax Music, the 27th San Javier International Jazz Festival was presented this morning. The festival will take place from June 27 to July 24, featuring a total of 22 concerts over 15 nights, with three free performances in open spaces in San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera, and La Manga del Mar Menor. The festival's promotional poster, created by Casaú Estudio and led by Nacho Rodríguez de Santiago, depicts a trumpet player in action, highlighting the prominent presence of women in this edition. This year’s festival also emphasizes the violin and piano as key instruments in jazz. Jazz San Javier dedicates its 2025 edition to the memory of artists who have passed away in the last year and who have performed at the festival, including Russell Malone, Lou Donaldson, John Mayall, Roy Haynes, Jordi Bonell, and the great Roberta Flack.
The 27th San Javier International Jazz Festival will feature renowned artists such as Marcus Miller, considered one of the greatest bassists of all time. His highly anticipated return to Jazz San Javier comes after 17 years. Another celebrated return is that of modern jazz diva Melody Gardot, presenting her latest album, The Essential. The female presence at the festival includes names such as Mariza, the queen of fado, making her first appearance at the festival with Portuguese accordionist Joao Frade as a special guest, as well as soul singer Judith Hill, Swiss violinist Eva Slongo, the unique Mayte Martín, and vocalist and instrumentalist Mar Vilaseca, among others.
This year, Jazz San Javier highlights the role of the violin in jazz with great artists like Romanian violinist Costel Nitescu, German prodigy Sandro Roy, the aforementioned Eva Slongo, and Spanish violist Biel Graells, invited by Mayte Martín. The piano will also play a major role, featuring legendary pianist Kenny Barron, who will perform with his trio and rising U.S. jazz star, vocalist Tyreek McDole. Other accomplished young pianists include Emmet Cohen and Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi, a leading figure in European jazz. Pieranunzi will perform alongside clarinetist Gabriele Mirabassi and bassist Luca Bulgarelli, revisiting the iconic Italian jazz album Racconti Mediterranei. The festival will also welcome Catalan pianist Ignasi Terraza, who will participate in a special festival production celebrating European jazz, joined by violinist Sandro Roy, bassist Pierre Boussaguet, and drummer Esteve Pi in a tribute to legendary French musicians Michel Legrand and Stéphane Grappelli.
Young piano talents such as Brandon Goldberg, a rising star in U.S. jazz, and Spanish pianist Daniel “Donny” López, known for his funk and soul expertise, will make their Jazz San Javier debut. Slovenian singer and pianist Uros Peric will also perform, accompanied by the Barcelona Big Blues Band. Another major highlight of the festival is guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, returning to San Javier with his new album Stage & Screen. Additionally, saxophonist, flamenco singer, and composer Antonio Lizama will showcase his innovative flamenco-jazz fusion. French “jazz manouche” or “gypsy swing” will be represented by guitarist Joscho Stephan and Romanian violinist Constantin "Costel" Nitescu.
This year’s festival also welcomes guitarist and vocalist Devon Allman, known as a troubadour of rock, blues, and Southern rock, along with the authentic American band Parker Barrow. The prestigious Belter Souls company, a symbol of Murcia’s vibrant music scene, will present one of its acclaimed soul and gospel performances featuring a choir of ten singers and five musicians. The festival’s free concerts will bring jazz to the streets, including performances by Pink Turtle in Plaza de España in San Javier, the Murcian band Zoot Suiters in Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera, and the Mar Vilaseca Quintet at the Tomás Maestre port in La Manga del Mar Menor.
Carmen Conesa, the Regional Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports, attended the festival’s presentation, alongside the Mayor of San Javier, José Miguel Luengo, and the festival's Cultural Councillor and Director, David Martínez, who detailed the program. “We have one of the best festivals in Spain,” said Martínez, inviting people to “celebrate life through music this summer at Jazz San Javier.” He emphasized the mix of jazz legends and emerging talents in a diverse program featuring great North American music while also highlighting the best of European jazz. Mayor José Miguel Luengo praised the festival’s high-quality lineup and congratulated its director and team. He also highlighted the festival’s public and municipal nature, thanking the regional government and sponsors for their support. Luengo reaffirmed the city's commitment to culture and emphasized that Jazz San Javier will continue to bring world-class music to the public for free. He also encouraged young musicians at the San Javier Conservatory to take advantage of having a world-class festival at their doorstep. Additionally, he reminded young audiences that discounted tickets are available, along with several free concerts.
Although the festival officially opens on June 27 with a free concert by Pink Turtle in Plaza de España, San Javier, the scheduled concerts at Parque Almansa Auditorium will begin on June 28 with Swiss violinist and vocalist Eva Slongo and her jazz quartet, featuring a special guest, Italian pianist Giovanni Mirabassi, with whom she recorded her album Souffle, blending jazz and classical music. The opening night will also feature one of the most anticipated concerts, with guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, a leading figure in jazz neo-traditionalism, returning to Jazz San Javier with his new album Stage & Screen.
The festival continues with an impressive lineup, including Marcus Miller (July 22), Melody Gardot (July 24), Mariza (July 18), Kenny Barron (July 16), Emmet Cohen (July 5), Antonio Lizana (July 11), Judith Hill (July 16), and many more. The festival will showcase various styles, from gypsy jazz to flamenco-jazz fusion, soul, blues, and rock.
On July 2, the festival moves to the Winter Theater for an intimate performance by flamenco singer Mayte Martín, who will present Tatuajes, a tribute to legendary composers and timeless songs such as Te Recuerdo Amanda by Víctor Jara and Ne Me Quitte Pas by Jacques Brel. She will be accompanied by Catalan violist Biel Graells.
On July 9, the theater will host a special concert dedicated to the album Racconti Mediterranei, which explores Mediterranean musical roots, featuring two of Italy’s greatest jazz musicians, pianist Enrico Pieranunzi and clarinetist Gabriele Mirabassi, joined by bassist Luca Bulgarelli.
As always, Jazz San Javier will bring music to the streets with three free concerts:
June 27 – Pink Turtle will open the festival in Plaza de España, San Javier, with their energetic swing and universal repertoire.
July 13 – Mar Vilaseca Quintet will perform in the port of Tomás Maestre, La Manga del Mar Menor, blending jazz, gospel, and soul.
July 20 – Murcian band Zoot Suiters will bring swing and good vibes to Explanada Barnuevo, Santiago de la Ribera.
All concerts will begin at 9:30 PM for double-bill shows and at 10:00 PM for single concerts.
Tickets and passes will be available online starting April 15 at www.compralentrada.com. The full festival pass costs €162, covering all scheduled concerts. Individual ticket prices start at €15. Pass holders have until May 15 to renew online. The festival office, located in the basement of the San Javier Town Hall, will open for in-person ticket sales on May 20. Discounts will be available for seniors, students, and individuals with disabilities.
The poster, designed by Casaú Estudio and featuring a trumpeter in the middle of a concert, hints at a strong female presence in the upcoming edition of the San Javier International Jazz Festival, as revealed in the preview announced today by its director, David Martínez. The program preview, which highlights the presence of the great Marcus Miller —considered one of the best bassists of all time— also includes female artists such as Melody Gardot, who will perform a concert revisiting her successful career; singer, pianist, and composer Judith Hill; jazz violinist and vocalist Eva Slongo; and Mar Vilaseca, a standout figure of the latest generation of Spanish jazz musicians. Flamenco singer Mayte Martín is also invited to the 27th edition of Jazz San Javier, where she will perform her latest project, which brings together great universal songs from different genres. Finally, today's program preview also includes the American southern rock band Parker Barrow.
The presentation took place at the San Javier Museum with the participation of the Mayor of San Javier, José Miguel Luengo, and the festival director, David Martínez, who announced a diverse festival that will include blues, soul, rock, and other related genres. The full program will be announced next April, when tickets will go on sale. The festival, which will take place from June 27 to July 24, will be held as usual at the Almansa Park Auditorium. However, it will also include performances at the Teatro de Invierno del Parque Almansa (Winter Theater) and open-air venues such as the Explanada Barnuevo de Santiago de la Ribera (Barnuevo Esplanade), Puerto Tomás Maestre de La Manga (Tomás Maestre Port), and Plaza de España for free concerts. David Martínez also revealed that the upcoming edition of Jazz San Javier will pay tribute, as always, to artists who have passed away in the last year, including Russell Malone, Lou Donaldson, John Mayall, Roy Haynes, and Jordi Bonell. Mayor José Miguel Luengo highlighted the quality of the announced program and the importance of culture "to continue promoting San Javier." Luengo also thanked the festival's public and private sponsors, emphasizing that "it remains municipally managed." Jazz San Javier is sponsored by the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia and companies such as FCC, Flexa, Heineken, CaixaBank, and La Opinión de Murcia as the official media partner.
Announced Artists
Marcus Miller, considered one of the best bassists of all time, leads the program preview revealed today by festival director David Martínez. Marcus Miller returns to Jazz San Javier after six years to showcase, alongside his band, why he remains one of the most influential musicians of his generation. Miller has left his mark on the careers of major stars such as Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Chaka Khan, Al Jarreau, and Wayne Shorter, among many others. Notably, he toured the world with Miles Davis and collaborated on legendary albums such as Tutu. As a composer and bandleader, he has released several acclaimed albums, including Afrodeezia, influenced by African, South American, and Caribbean sounds, and his latest work, Laid Black, which incorporates more modern and urban sounds, reaffirming his status as a global star in the fusion of funk, soul, and jazz.
Another star announced for this edition of the festival is American singer Melody Gardot, a true diva on stage. She captivates audiences with her voice, piano, and guitar, effortlessly moving between jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, and Brazilian music. Having lived in Paris for years, Melody Gardot returns to Jazz San Javier at a mature stage of her career, reflected in her latest album, The Essential. This compilation, personally curated by Gardot, includes 25 songs spanning 14 years of her career, featuring original compositions and iconic covers such as La Vie en Rose, sung in French, and La Llorona, in Spanish.
Another artist joining the festival lineup is Judith Hill, an African-Japanese American singer, pianist, and composer considered one of the new divas of soul. She arrives at Jazz San Javier with her fourth and latest album, Letters from a Black Widow, a deeply personal and self-composed work. Judith Hill has been one of the most sought-after vocalists by major artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, and George Benson. She was also selected by Michael Jackson for his final This Is It tour and had her debut solo album, Back In Time, produced by Prince, launching a highly respected career as a bandleader.
Swiss violinist Eva Slongo, based in Paris and known in Europe as "the Benson of the violin," will make her debut at Jazz San Javier with her jazz quartet and Italian pianist Giovanni Mirabassi as a guest artist. Slongo and Mirabassi have previously collaborated on stage and in Slongo's album Souffle, which blends classical music and jazz. A rising star in jazz violin, Slongo transitioned from a classical background to jazz through improvisation, including jazz manouche, which she discovered in Paris. Winner of the Best Improvisation Award at the Stéphane Grappelli International Violin Competition, she impresses audiences with her unique ability to combine voice and violin, improvising both simultaneously.
Southern rock makes its way into Jazz San Javier with the American band Parker Barrow, led by the married duo of singer Megan Kane and drummer Dylan Turner. After four years of living on the road in an RV and fulfilling their rock and roll dreams through highly acclaimed live shows, Megan and Dylan channel those experiences into their album Jukebox Gypsies, which they will present at the Almansa Park Auditorium. Inspired by bands like The Black Crowes and The Allman Brothers Band, Parker Barrow delivers energetic tracks like Count Your Dollars as well as intimate acoustic pieces such as Desire, both featured on the album.
Flamenco singer Mayte Martín, one of the most prestigious cantaoras today, will showcase at Jazz San Javier why, despite being a flamenco icon, she is an unclassifiable artist with exquisite versatility. A lover of classic bolero, to which she brings her unique interpretation, Mayte Martín recorded her second album, Free Bolero, with jazz pianist Tete Montoliu. She has performed alongside Omara Portuondo and collaborated with fado singer Dulce Pontes and Cuban musician Silvio Rodríguez, among others. Her latest project, Tatuajes, which she will present for the first time in San Javier, is described as "a gesture of respect to the immense composers who created these extraordinarily beautiful and timeless works." The repertoire includes classics such as Te Recuerdo Amanda by Víctor Jara, Lucía by Joan Manuel Serrat, Ne Me Quitte Pas by Jacques Brel, and La Bien Pagá by Ramón Perelló and Juan Mostazo.
The final artist announced today by festival director David Martínez is vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Mar Vilaseca, who will perform in San Javier with her jazz quintet. With a strong classical background and a youthful passion for rock, gospel, soul, and funk, Mar Vilaseca was always exposed to jazz through her father, renowned pianist Jaume Vilaseca, with whom she began her professional career on stage. Her debut album, Find My Way (2020), features exclusively original jazz compositions that also reflect her love for gospel and soul. In addition to her own work, Mar Vilaseca enriches her repertoire with jazz standards that she arranges herself.
