On the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th of June the island of Formentera will once again be inundated with music with the arrival of the Formentera Jazz Festival; a festival imbued with the elegance and freedom of jazz music, and which this year is celebrating its 5th anniversary.
the organizers said:” With support from the Consell Insular, and the initiative of the musician and cultural promoter Maxwell Moya, the fifth edition of the festival combines, once again, the energy, art and music of artists, both emerging and established, from the local, national and international scene.
Proud of its rapid and sustainable growth, the Festival, which currently brings together approximately 5,000 people, has featured artists such as Jorge Pardo, Carlos Sarduy, Antonio Lizana, Román Filiu, Nêga Lucas, Dj Zonzo, Ganavya Doraiswamy, Irene Atienza, Dj Nikodemus, Matic, Lina Una, Dj Panko, Profesor Angel Dust and Mel Semé, creating year after year a unique soundscape, not only from the world of Jazz, but also from the genres jazz has influenced such as latin jazz, electronica, samba jazz, world music, funk, hip-hop and afrobeat, among others.
“These 5 years represent a beautiful cycle where it has been clear that the Festival is imbued with and rooted in the social and cultural fabric of the island. We are happy that the audience, both local and from abroad, has made it their own, helping the festival to grow year after year; this sense of belonging is one that we also perceive on the part of our partners and collaborators, both those who are joining for the first time as well as those who have been there from the beginning. From an artistic point of view remaining faithful to our original idea of becoming a musical experience which takes in the fullness of what jazz has to offer, we can boast of consistently offering diversity in terms of gender, age and nationality; in that sense, the programming is still very inclusive, and the sounds featured go beyond the jazz format itself, showcasing other elements and genres it has influenced such as hip hop, funk, latin jazz, Brazilian and flamenco music, and even electronic music. ”-says Maxwell Moya, founder and director of the Formentera Jazz Festival, and he adds -“We feel privileged to be able to continue celebrating jazz in all its splendour here and to do so in conjunction with the Consell de Formentera, without whom this adventure would not have been possible. Their support and empathy with the whole festival team fills us with hope for the future, and we hope to celebrate at least another 5 more years together.”
In keeping with the inclusive philosophy of the island, the festival remains a free event for all attendees, who at this 5th edition will be able to enjoy performances on various stages in the Plaza San Francisco Javier, in the legendary Blue Bar at the Platja de Mitjorn, in the glorious surrounds of Chezz Gerdi at the Platja de Es Pujols and, for the first time, in one of the island’s most musical venues, the Sala de Sa Panxa, in the town of San Fernando.
FIRST ARTISTS CONFIRMED FOR THE #FJF2019
Max Holm Trio, Ermanno Panta & Banda Zeitun, Perico Sambeat, Tonina Saputo, DJ Uri Callejo and Midi Jazz Club are the first acts to be added to the line-up for the 5th edition of the Formentera Jazz Festival.
Max Holm Trio
The pianist Max Holm has played with Wynton Marsalis, Kirk Whalum, Robin Eubanks, Stefon Harris, Marvin Stamm, among others. And along with Grammy winners Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band), Victor Wooten, Randy Brecker, Branford Marsalis, Rashawn Ross and Trombone Shorty, he won the NIMA Jazz Album of the Year for The Inside of the Outside. He has been involved with several collaborations for television series and movies, and has even given a TED Talk on becoming a jazz musician.
For this very special occasion Max is visiting the island alongside the multi- award winning American bassist
Ermanno Panta
A Sicilian based in Formentera, Ermanno Panta will appear at the Formentera Jazz Festival accompanied by his Banda Zeitun. Coinciding with the launch of his album “Isla Musa”, this flautist, saxophonist, singer and percussionist of jazz and world music will delight us with his ethnic and Mediterranean jazz in the company of the drummer Vincent Thomas, band leader of Gabacho Maroc, a world music band renowned worldwide; Sergi Gómez, on flamenco guitar, and Jose Gómez onthe electric bass.
Colescott Rubin (Esperanza Spalding, Patrice
Rushen, Jeff Hamilton, Terence Blanchard, Terrell Stafford, Chuck Israels,
Catherine Russell, Kenny Werner, Charmaine Neville…), and the drummer Travis
Collins (New York All City Jazz Ensemble, New York All State Jazz Ensemble, The
National Fine Arts Orchestra,…)
Tonina Saputo
Tonina Saputo is a singer/songwriter, bassist, music journalist and poet from St.
Louis, Missouri, who plays her own original music along with her arrangements of
covers in both Spanish and English. Tonina has quite a future ahead of her.
Despite being so young, she has already enjoyed a long career and earned
extensive recognition, and what’s more, she has only just begun. Formentera is
sure to fall at her feet.
Perico Sambeat
The saxophonist Perico Sambeat is considered one of the great Spanish jazz musicians. With more than twenty records as a leader and more than one hundred as an accompanist, highlights include his work with great figures such as Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Tete Montoliu, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny among many others, throughout his 20-year career. Twenty years in which he has also recorded with artists such as Dave Douglas, George Colligan, Eddie Hendeerson, Bruce Barth, Wallace Roney, and has received a long list of awards and recognitions at festivals around the world.
DJ Uri Callejo
Uri Callejo has been a DJ since 1990 and he mixes various styles: disco, house, techno, etc. He has produced electronic music with his brother, the VJ DIMA, and is a member of the Clubber Magazine collective and collaborator with Hidden Bcn, Discos Paradiso Crew and Freedonia club.
Midi Jazz Club.
.
And just like every year, on its last night the Formentera Jazz Festival invites all musicians on the island (professionals and amateurs) to take part in a big jam session in which improvisation, the essence of jazz music, will be the only guiding principle.
And as usual, since the very first edition of the festival, Maxwell Moya will lead,
alongside the percussion and basses, the traditional fusion of electronica and
jazz, with surprise guests for the occasion, under the name Midi Jazz Club
With more artists and activities to be confirmed, the countdown to the 5th Edition of the Formentera Jazz Festival has officially begun. Happy Anniversary! And here’s to jazz!
This is the official poster!
