Jazz ao Centro Clube celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special program
The non-profit association Jazz ao Centro Clube celebrates its 20th anniversary between the 28th and 30th of April, with a special program that is divided between its home, Salão Brazil, Convento São Francisco and Colégio da Graça – Liga of Fighters, in Coimbra.
Coimbra’s association was formalized on April 30, 2003, a date that, since November 2011, UNESCO has instituted as International Jazz Day.
The JACC soon became a center for dynamizing the jazz scene nationwide. First with jazz.pt (whose first issue was launched in 2005), then with the Festival Itinerante Portugal Jazz (from 2007).
The label JACC Records was born in 2010 and, two years later, in October 2012, Jazz ao Centro Clube finally found its “home” in downtown Coimbra, acquiring the transfer of Salão Brazil.
For José Miguel, President of the JACC since 2013, “the history of the last 10 years is marked by an expansion of the interests of the JACC, assuming the promotion and dissemination of musical culture as a mission and, also, an interest in articulation with other artistic disciplines and a commitment to the territories and communities where it intervenes.
The next few years will be marked by projects with a European reach (of which MATE, publicly launched last week) is an excellent example and by the desire to guarantee the reinforcement of the role of Salão Brazil, as a driving force of socio-cultural activity in the City of Coimbra.”
In commemoration of these 20 years of activity, the JACC will have in its programming names of some of the most important artists of the national and international music scene, such as Aruán Ortiz Trio, Ricardo Toscano Trio, Godua and Marcelo dos Reis “Flora”.
Ricardo Toscano Trio | April 28th, 10:00 pm | Salon Brazil
- Ricardo Toscano alto saxophone
- Romeo Tristan double bass
- Joao Lopes Pereira drums
Saxophonist Ricardo Toscano became famous very young for his fascinating way of playing. He looked too young for such skill and confidence and quickly integrated into the national jazz scene, becoming in demand in the most different contexts (inside and outside jazz, such as with Camané, for example).
The trio is a format that Toscano explores as much as the quartet. As the themes he wrote for four do not work the same way with one less, he decided to explore a more open space that favors a greater number of unforeseen events. Thus, after having found a different purpose and repertoire, it is not surprising that he chose to record with three. Romeu Tristão on double bass and João Lopes Pereira on drums help produce this unprecedented perspective on the saxophonist (and composer), but also on themselves.
Godua Quartet | April 29th, 5 pm | Cloisters of Colégio da Graça – Liga dos Combatentes .Free admission
- Duarte Ventura vibraphone
- Hugo Ferreira guitar
- João Fragoso double bass
- João Cardita drums
The GODUA quartet brings together four young musicians with a strong connection to Coimbra. Two of them – João Fragoso and Hugo Ferreira – are from Coimbra, the other two, Duarte Ventura and João Cardita, were students of the Professional Jazz Instrumentalist Course, at the Artistic School of the Coimbra Conservatory of Music.
However, they all headed to other places (Lisbon and Porto) in order to complete their Degrees in Jazz and all are worthy representatives of the new national jazz scene, leading groups and actively participating in multiple projects.
Marcelo dos Reis “Flora” | April 29th, 10:00 pm | Salon Brazil
- Marcelo dos Reis guitar and songwriting
- Miguel Falcão double bass
- Luis Filipe Silva drums
Marcelo dos Reis is one of the most renowned national musicians of jazz and improvised music, as in addition to performing at the most prestigious festivals and venues across Europe, all of his work has been widely recognized, among the numerous references in the specialized press, he was considered musician of the year by jazz.pt magazine, was considered one of the top 5 guitarists by the prestigious publication El Intruso, which includes journalists from all over the world, and more recently was named one of the most influential musicians of the last decade by important publication Free Jazz Collective.
“Flora” is his new project, a trio based on his original compositions, which live both from the organization of ideas and from the spontaneity and virtuosity of improvisation. At his side are two musicians with solid creativity and training, Luís Filipe Silva (drums) and Miguel Falcão (double bass).
Aruán Ortiz Trio | April 30th, 5:00 pm | San Francisco Convent
- Eugénia Contente piano
- Brad Jones double bass
- Jeff Ballard drums
The most recent recording by Aruán Ortiz (just released by the prestigious Swiss label Intakt Records) features Brad Jones on double bass and drummer John Betsch (replaced, in this concert, by
by Jeff Ballard) and summarizes the various musical influences that have shaped Ortiz’s artistic vision since he left his hometown of Santiago de Cuba in 1996.
Coinciding with its 50th anniversary, Ortiz’s work integrates Cuba’s Afro-Haitian traditions with the most avant-garde Jazz, also finding inspiration in other artistic movements (even if they originate outside the musical field) such as, for example, Afro- Futurism.
CP Jazz Quartet | April 30th, 10:00 pm | Salão Brazil .Free entry
- Santos guitar
- Pedro Martins Vibraphone
- Tiago Fernades Electric Bass
- Iris Valente drums
This collective emerges as a way of providing performative experiences, within the scope of the small ensemble, to students of the professional course of the Conservatório de Música de Coimbra. Breaking down the barriers of the combo discipline, these students “face” the general public, offering the best of what they have been learning in their epic journey of discovering Jazz.
Students focus their action on a comprehensive and original choice of repertoire, highlighting the potential and singularities of this type of grouping. The uniqueness of this combo and its “actors” is fully enhanced by original themes and arrangements with the personal stamp of the students themselves, developed throughout their passage through the professional course. It will certainly be a pleasant moment to the sound of Jazz.
Tickets for the 20th Anniversary of the JACC are on sale at www.bol.pt and at venues before the start of the concerts, with prices ranging from 7 to 10 euros.
About JACC – JAZZ AO CENTRO CLUBE
Non-profit cultural association was formed on April 30, 2003.
As a result of the dynamics resulting from the Festival Jazz ao Centro — Encontros Internacional de Jazz de Coimbra and the efforts of a wide range of members, the way was opened for a wide range of activities aligned with the association’s statutory objectives: promotion, dissemination, and teaching of culture music, with special emphasis on Jazz.
From very early on, the JACC formed a professional team and promoted projects such as jazz.pt – online jazz magazine (2005-present), the Itinerante Portugal Jazz Festival (2007-2011), the publishing house JACC Records (2010-present), Xjazz – Aldeias do Xisto Jazz Cycle (2012-present), and Amadora Jazz (2011-present).
In August 2012, JACC acquired the transfer of Salão Brazil, a former billiard hall located in downtown Coimbra. In 2020, the building where Salão Brazil is located was acquired by Coimbra City Council.
The management and programming of Salão Brazil introduced new dynamics into the activity of the JACC, especially the dimensions linked to urban issues and the community.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, tickets place of sale, price, and availability.
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