Jazz at the Center Festival

The Jazz ao Centro festival will focus on connecting with different cultural agents and artists who have a relationship with Coimbra, offering shows such as the British Yazz Ahmed and the Portuguese Estela Alexandre.

The initiative takes place between October 10 and 18, in different venues in Coimbra, with “an important part of the program” resulting from the partnership with the Seixal Jazz and Outono em Jazz festivals (at Casa da Música).

One of the solutions is to connect “with other centers that also promote this music”, with the Teatro do Bairro Alto being another agent linked to the program. From these connections, the public will enjoy concerts by trumpeter Yazz Ahmed; musicians Luís Vicente, John Dikeman, Hamid Drake and John Edwards (replacing William Parker in this show); and the trio Sakina Abdou, Marta Warelis and Toma Gouband.

In addition, in a co-production by the JACC, Casa da Música and Seixal Jazz, curated by Pedro Costa, a group of eight Portuguese musicians will be directed by the Dutch composer Tjin Wybenga, presenting an original work. There will also be the presentation of a record by JACC Records, also in a partnership between the three entities, which brings together Portuguese musician Luís Vicente and three American artists.

Organized by the JACC and the Coimbra City Council, the festival also seeks to “accompany artists who have a connection with the city”, said the official at the conference to present the programme.

In this sense, the highlight is the orchestra of Estela Alexandre, a 24-year-old who will be on one of the festival’s main stages, the Teatro Académico de Gil Vicente, on October 17.

The first day of Jazz ao Centro will be marked by a concert by the trio led by French saxophonist Sakina Abdou, together with Polish pianist Marta Warelis and French percussionist Toma Gouband, at Salão Brazil, and by a matinée at Casa das Artes Bissaya Barreto.

On the 11th, the Yakuza show invites you to dance at Salão Brazil, in the city center, while Atelier Semente, located in Coimbra’s Seminário Maior, will host the didactic concert “Jazz Club for Kids”, with Maria Morbey and Zé Soares. On the same day, the Estação Nova will host soundscape artist Luís Antero and guest bassist Miguel Calhaz, who will present, free of charge, creations that dialogue with the memory of the space.

Yazz Ahmed Quartet, on the 16th, at the Convento São Francisco, followed by the trio Rafani, Sadigh, Shahmirzadi, with Vasco Trilla as guest, at the Salão Brazil, are other proposals.

The last day of the festival will feature the CPJazz Combo, at Atelier Semente; Rafael Toral, at Seminário Maior; and a mini-recording residency, by guitarist Marcelo dos Reis with Portuguese-Catalan drummer Vasco Trilla, at Salão Brazil