Manacor strengthens its ties with jazz

PalmFeaturing some of the best jazz musicians from around the world and a strong representation of the exceptional local talent. This is the second edition of the Manacor Jazz Festival, an initiative of the s'Escat cultural association organized by Manacor City Council. They acknowledge that the success of the first edition has made their work much easier for the second. "We don't have the feeling that we've only had two editions," says Ferran Montero, the council's Culture Delegate, "because we started with such a strong start that it feels like it's already taken root. And not just in Manacor; we also have audiences from all over the island who have been very interested in this year's lineup."

If concerts like those of Maria Schneider and Jorge Pardo, which took place just under a year ago to great acclaim, still resonate with attendees for their quality, this year's lineup suggests they will be no less impressive: Salvador Sobral, Caramelo de Cuba, and Benji Habichu on September 27 and October 5, as well as Magalí Saré and Sebastià Gris, Roger Pistola and Jorra Santiago, and Carles Benavent, Dani Pérez, and Salvador Font, who will participate in the tribute concert to Jordi Bonell with the Voodoo Kids Orchestra, conducted by Toni Vaquer. "We've put together a lineup that brings together top talent, both local and international, and we're very happy with this combination. In Manacor, we're not big on macro-concerts, but we do try to organize high-quality events that we want to become benchmark initiatives," explains Montero, who appreciates the work carried out by the association.

"There's always been a rock scene in Manacor. As a child, I remember the Manacor rock shows, which started at dusk and ended the next day because of the number of bands that played," recalls Llorenç Barceló, a musician and member of the association. "In general, Manacor has always been a land of musicians, but especially of rock and pop, of more popular music. And now, we've finally been able to open a window to another type of music that we hope can consolidate and continue for many years to come," he adds. In this sense, for Barceló, it's important to emphasize "the scarcity of quality jazz." "Many people think they don't like jazz and what they've heard is background music that was playing one night on a restaurant terrace," he explains, "or from people who are just starting out in the world of music and still have little experience or tools. Well done and authentic, all music in the world is good, and jazz is not an ex: it understands it, but it comes to acquire its own language and to communicate through it. Ido with jazz is exactly the same."

Thus, the program for this second edition of the Manacor Jazz Festival offers a range of proposals as diverse as the origins of its participants. The program begins on Saturday, September 27, with a duo concert by Manacor natives Jorra Santiago and Roger Pistola. In conversation with ARA Baleares, Pistola announced that one of the featured instruments of the recital would be the double bass and welcomed the launch of this initiative. "It comes from a self-managed and independent association like s'Escat, which for years has tirelessly offered a regular and quality program, with concerts and jam sessions weekly. And with that, what they do is return jazz to its original function: they bring it closer to the people and to everyone," he assured. That same day there will also be a musician who, despite not having been born in Manacor, has strong ties to it, Salvador Sobral, who, in fact, will be performing with a band formed by some members of s'Escat. "He's a friend of ours" and admits we played together. He has always been a fabulous singer, and it's very exciting to be together with him again on stage."

Next Saturday, October 4th, it will be Flamencuba's turn, with Caramelo de Cuba, considered one of the best pianists in the world, and Benji, a musician based in Mallorca. luxury for us, the best musicians in the world request him and he is a world reference, one of those musicians who have made a school and who we are almost ready to hear live", argue sources from the festival organization.

The performance will take place in the Plaza del Rector Rubí, where the musicians Magalí will also be performing, with a more than consolidated career, as demonstrated by works such as Unmarried, Sare's latest offering, which will premiere in Manacor. The concerts in Rector Rubí Square also include food and beverage service, with the aim of turning "every jazz night into a space for cultural encounter and coexistence," according to Manacor City Council.

Recognition

In any case, one of the most emotional moments of this second edition of the festival will take place on Sunday the 5th, starting at 8:00 p.m. at the Manacor Auditorium. It will be there that the tribute concert will be held for Jordi Bonell, one of the great exponents of the so-called Catalan guitar, who passed away last November. Among the participants in the tribute are musicians such as Carlos Benavent, Dani Pérez, and Salvador Font, who will join the Voodoo Kids Orchestra, conducted by Toni Vaquer.

"This Big Band we'll put together will be something to watch," Barceló anticipates, "because we'll have the pride of having Carles Benavent, a bassist who has played with the best musicians in the world, with people like Chick Corea, and having twenty musicians share the stage with him is truly a blessing." Barceló remarked on the long-awaited third edition of the festival.

Manacor 2025 Jazz Festival Programming

September 27

Roger Pistola

Salvador Sobral

October 4th

Flamencuba

Magalí Sare

October 5th

Tribute concert to Jordi Bonell

The Voodoo Kids Orchestra conducted by Toni Vaquer with Carles Benavent and Salvador Font