Loulé Jazz 2021 will be “a great Portuguese jazz party”, featuring national talent

The artistic director of the festival, Mário Laginha, told Lusa, that “it no longer makes sense” to have an international distinction to “have quality” in the festival.

Now in its 26th edition, the festival has changed its name and will take place at the Convento do Espírito Santo, in Loulé (Faro), between 29 July and 1 August.

The musicians and groups confirmed are Bernardo Moreira, Eduardo Cardinho, João Frade, Maria João and Carlos Bica, Pedro Moreira, Miguel Meirinhos, Trio de Jazz de Loulé and Zé Eduardo.

The situation in which many musicians found themselves in due to the pandemic led the organisation to consider whether they could just make the festival a “great Portuguese jazz party”, and invite musicians “from all over the country”, instead of including international acts.

“Jazz has had exponential growth in Portugal, several schools have opened from north to south, there are many good teachers. We would like the Loulé jazz festival to become this great party, with Portuguese musicians, which has already been happening this year”, he stressed.

Although it was a “difficult decision” to make, Laginha sought musicians who had “new works”, such as bass player Bernardo Moreira, with a disc dedicated to Carlos Paredes, “Entre Paredes”, or Pedro Moreira, with the recording made in an “unusual formation” of five saxophones and the rhythm and guitar section, “Maybe Two More”. There are also novelties such as the “young pianist” of Porto Miguel Meirinhos and the “new formation” of Maria João and Carlos Bica, a reunion that “has not yet performed at the festival”, and additionally, the trio of bassist Zé Eduardo, will present “songs of revolution of the world”, he noted.

The programme of the 26th Loulé Jazz taking place at the Convento do Espírito Santo, will see Trio Zé Eduardo and trio João Frade with Jorge Pardo performing on the 29 July, Pedro Moreira Sax Ensemble “Two Maybe More” and the Quartet Maria João and Carlos Bica, will perform on the 30 of July. On the 31 July, the Trio Miguel Meirinhos and Eduardo Cardinho Quinteto take the stage and, on the 1 August, the festival closes with the Bernardo Moreira Sextet (“Entre Paredes”) and the Loulé Jazz Trio, with Julian Argüelles.

Loulé Jazz is organized by Casa de Cultura de Loulé, and tickets can be purchased at Cineteatro Louletano or BOL – on their online Ticket Office.