Canarias Jazz & Más Festival Kicks Off with 59 Concerts
This year’s Canarias Jazz & Más Festival promises an unforgettable musical journey with 59 high-quality concerts across the Canary Islands. The festival launches this Friday with performances by Alain Pérez and La Orquesta, Melissa Aldana Quartet, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Esther Ovejero in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and La Graciosa.
A Festival for All Islands
From July 4 to 26, the festival will take over 28 theaters, auditoriums, museums, and squares in 16 municipalities across all eight islands. Of the 59 concerts, 18 are ticketed while 41 are free, thanks to support from 51 institutions, businesses, and organizations. This inclusive approach ensures jazz reaches every corner of the archipelago.
Global Stars and Local Talent
This edition features 31 artists and ensembles from the U.S., Norway, Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, Chile, and Armenia, alongside a strong 33% representation of Canarian musicians. The opening weekend highlights include Grammy-winning legend Dee Dee Bridgewater, the emotionally charged Melissa Aldana Quartet, and Cuba’s Alain Pérez with his orchestra.
Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Electrifying Return
Four-time Grammy winner Dee Dee Bridgewater storms the stage with her show We Exist!, backed by Carmen Staff (musical director/piano), Rosa Brunello (bass), and Shirazette Tinnin (drums). Catch her at Tenerife Auditorium (July 4), Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote (July 5), and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s Teatro Pérez Galdós (July 6). Tickets are now available.
Melissa Aldana’s Soulful Quartet
Chilean saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana brings her deeply emotive style to free outdoor concerts at Plaza de San Juan de Arucas (Gran Canaria, July 4) and Plaza de El Médano (Tenerife, July 5).
Alain Pérez’s Cuban Rhythms
Grammy-winning artist Alain Pérez, known for revitalizing Cuba’s legendary Irakere jazz band, performs gratis in Gran Canaria (July 4) and Tenerife (July 5). His fusion of jazz and Latin traditions is not to be missed.
Ellister van der Molen’s Trumpet Brilliance
Dutch trumpeter Ellister van der Molen, a standout in Europe’s jazz scene, performs with her quartet at Las Palmas’ Teatro Guiniguada (July 5) and La Laguna’s Convento de Santo Domingo (July 6).
Local Highlights and Family Fun
Tenerife’s Esther Ovejero opens the festival on July 4 at Caleta de Sebo Pier (La Graciosa), while La Local Jazz Band closes the weekend in La Laguna (July 6). Families can enjoy Ponqué y la Ciudad del Jazz, an interactive show tracing jazz history, in Las Palmas (July 5) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (July 6).
Institutional Support and Legacy
Cristóbal de la Rosa, Director of Cultural Innovation for the Canary Islands, emphasized the festival’s intercultural significance after 34 editions. Key venues like Teatro Cuyás (featuring Take 6 on July 22) and Casa de Colón (hosting pianist Krzysztof Kobyliński on July 16) further enrich the program.
Supported by Promotur Turismo de Canarias, local councils, and cultural foundations, Canarias Jazz & Más remains a cornerstone of the archipelago’s artistic calendar. Don’t miss Lakecia Benjamin (July 9) and Gonzalo Rubalcaba (July 18), hailed as “one of today’s most influential jazz pianists.”
