Campus Jazz – Jazz Festival of the University of Aveiro (UA) returns for its fifth edition between April 30th and June 5th.
This year, the event features a diverse program, bringing together key names in international jazz, such as Ben Wendel, Jeff Ballard and Rabih Abou-Khalil, while reinforcing the commitment to training and valuing the region’s musical potential. Between concerts, masterclasses, workshops and conferences, the festival establishes itself as a meeting place between tradition and innovation, promoting dialogue between musicians, students and the public.
The festival kicks off on International Jazz Day, April 30, with a concert by the João Rocha Quartet, winner of the 2024 UA International Jazz Competition. The group will perform at the UA Student House, making the event part of Academic Week and bringing it closer to a young audience.
On May 1st, American drummer Jeff Ballard, who has collaborated with Ray Charles, Chick Corea and Brad Mehldau, will lead a masterclass at UA. The following day, he takes to the stage at the Cine-Teatro Alba, in Albergaria-a-Velha, accompanied by the UA Jazz Combo.
On May 9th, guitarist and singer-songwriter Raquel Martins, a Portuguese artist living in London, will perform in a masterclass at UA and, in the evening, she will perform in a trio, exploring influences ranging from nu-jazz to soul and bossa nova.
On May 15, renowned Lebanese composer Rabih Abou-Khalil will conduct a masterclass and the following day, May 16, he will take to the stage at Nave Multiuso Caixa UA in a special concert with the Orquestra Filarmonia das Beiras, under the baton of maestro Jan Wierzba. The show will be entirely dedicated to his own repertoire, reflecting the fusion of jazz with traditional Middle Eastern music.
The big band stage, one of the festival’s new features, will take place between May 20 and 22 and will be led by Swedish trombonist and composer Kristian Persson (Nine Sparks Riots). The project aims to develop the artistic potential of musicians from the region, culminating in a final concert with the guest’s original repertoire. Registration is now available.
On May 29, American saxophonist and composer Ben Wendel, recognized for his work with the Kneebody collective and collaborations with musicians such as Bill Frisell and José James, will perform at Fábrica das Ideias in Gafanha da Nazaré with the UA Jazz Orchestra. The musician will also participate in three training sessions: a masterclass and a tiny lab talk on May 28 and a workshop on the 29th.
The festival ends on June 5 with the opening of an exhibition at the Jazz Studies Center (CEJ), a structure founded at UA in 2007 and dedicated to the documentation and research of jazz. Curated by Ivo Martins, Vera Velez and Manuel Neto, the exhibition will offer an insight into the CEJ’s trajectory and collection.
In addition to the concerts and training sessions, Campus Jazz will feature two jam sessions, opened by groups led by former UA students Rui Lúcio and João Martins and promoted in partnership with the UA Academic Association and the UA Experimental Theatre Group (GrETUA).
Campus Jazz 2025 once again establishes itself as a space for experimentation, training and sharing, promoting connections between jazz and the academic community, the public and musicians at different stages of their careers.
The full program, as well as information on times and registration, can be found here.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok and see the exclusive content for social networks.
