Andorran Jazz Pianist Kic Barroc Launches Mature Second Album Entor

Andorran jazz pianist Kic Barroc presented his second album as bandleader, *Entor*, on Wednesday, tying its launch to the reopening of Ordino's renovated Auditori Nacional. The eight-track release, available now in vinyl and from Thursday on digital platforms, draws inspiration from Pyrenean mountain landscapes beyond Andorra's borders, including sites like Prat Primer, the summit Entor between Incles and Sarrera, and Mar Esbalçat.

Barroc described melodies emerging unexpectedly during hikes, then shaped through detailed harmonies, structures, and orchestration. Developed over 18 months and recorded between March and April 2025 at Barcelona's Underpool Studio—with design by Irene Clua and edition by Elemental—the album marks a "much more mature" step from his debut *Mon noM*, the first project leaving him fully satisfied. He stressed that every piece is deeply worked, with no casual tracks, and mostly evokes serenity across solo piano to seven-piece arrangements. Exceptions include the tense *Neva*, inspired by skiing frustration in heavy snow, funky *Simetria*, duo *Prat Primer* echoing Brad Mehldau, modulating *Mar Esbalçat* with bolero hints, bossa-infused *Sarró*, modal-shifting favourite *Entor*—"the hit" where he most enjoys playing—harmonious *Molt a Gust*, and ballad *Carta* honouring mentors Marco Mezquida and Txema Riera. From Entor summit, he noted, Grandvalira's ski infrastructure is visible as a "wreckage" amid the calm.

Barroc will headline inaugural performances at the Auditori on 27 and 28 February with elite collaborators: French saxophonist Baptiste Herbin, Spanish sax star Irene Reig, trombonist Alba Pujols, bassist Brady Lynch, and drummer Quique Pérez. Originally planned for late summer, the release accelerated after an offer from Acció Cultural d'Andorra. "It was an honour not to miss inaugurating the upgraded venue," he said, deciding within eight hours despite unprinted vinyls, rushing production to ensure physical copies for the shows.

He called performing original music there a "privilege" with optimal acoustics and top musicians, urging "active listening" without distractions. Dismissing CDs as "dead" and streaming as unreliable, he champions vinyl's tactility. A tour is set for autumn-winter in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and southern France, with dates pending.