42nd International Jazz Festival in Escaldes-Engordany Blends Global Stars and Free Street Shows July 2-9

The 42nd International Jazz Festival of Escaldes-Engordany, running July 2 to 9, will feature a lineup blending international headliners with free street performances, cinema screenings, and affordable access to draw in diverse crowds and strengthen its position as a key summer cultural event.

Organised by the Escaldes-Engordany parish, the festival opens on July 2 with Nils Landgren Funk Unit's jazz-funk set, followed by Joshua Redman Quartet on July 3—a saxophonist who first appeared here in 1995—Paquito D’Rivera Quintet with Anat Cohen on July 4, Sixun on Sunday afternoon July 5, and Lizz Wright closing that day's main show. Other highlights include Maria Schneider's free concert with Clasijazz Orchestra and Antonio Lizana, noted by Culture Councillor Valentí Closa for its unusual open-access format, and the traditional Sunday double bill. The event wraps on July 9 with a fully Andorran reinterpretation of *Porgy & Bess*, which Closa called the quintessential jazz opera.

Cònsol Major Rosa Gili, speaking at Tuesday's launch, described the fifth year of recovery as stronger than ever, with a loyal audience proven by the rapid sell-out of 50 blind subscriptions before the lineup was announced. She positioned it as an economic driver for the parish, animating commerce, restaurants, and Andorra's image overall. Avinguda Carlemany now displays ornamental previews to heighten anticipation.

Closa emphasised low entry prices—from €25 single tickets to €65 full passes—as exceptional value against major European events, aimed at making jazz welcoming rather than intimidating. "Everyone will find something they like, with approachable entry points," he said, countering the genre's elitist image through improvisation-focused programming, local street acts curated by Andorran musician Kic Barroc, free Jazz al Carrer in Plaça Coprínceps, Andorra Jam Sessions, and the Més Jazz cycle.

New jazz cinema additions feature *The Sax Life*, a Paquito D’Rivera documentary with the 18-time Grammy winner attending the screening, and *Köln 75* on Keith Jarrett's legendary piano concert.

Tourism and Commerce Minister Jordi Torres underscored culture's growing role in Andorra's tourism strategy, desesasonalising stays and energising upper Escaldes, where last year's event hit 80-90% hotel occupancy and involved 20 "friend of commerce" businesses. Backed by a €180,000 parish budget plus Andorra Turisme and sponsors, organisers hope to match or exceed 2024's near-6,000 attendees despite venue limits. Gili affirmed its deep roots in the parish's cultural identity, with youth card holders eligible for 25% discounts and tickets available online or at designated outlets.