Escaldes Jazz Festival 2024 Announces Chucho Valdés, Nils Landgren, Lizz Wright

The 42nd edition of the Escaldes Jazz Festival is set for July 2 to 9, with organisers revealing the first confirmed artists ahead of the event.

Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés will headline the central concert on July 5 at Prat del Roure in Escaldes. He will perform with his Royal Quartet—comprising José Armando Gola on double bass, Roberto Vizcaíno on percussion, and Horacio Hernández on drums—alongside saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera as a special guest. The group, known as Cuba & Beyond, earned a Grammy nomination last year. Valdés, who has won 13 Grammys including Latin categories, has appeared at the festival multiple times since his 2005 debut in Escaldes with Michel Legrand. He returned in 2008 at Ordino with his father Bebo Valdés, then in 2011 at Prat del Roure with Omara Portuondo. Now 84, Valdés brings his signature Afro-Cuban jazz style, blending influences from Santiago de Cuba and New Orleans.

The festival opens with Swedish trombonist Nils Landgren, a former session musician for acts like The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, and Eddie Harris. Landgren has gained prominence for funky reinterpretations of classics, including his ABBA tribute *Funky ABBA*, *License to Funk*, and latest release *Funk Is My Religion*. Organisers see his set as a fresh direction amid Europe's crowded jazz scene.

American singer-songwriter Lizz Wright rounds out the initial lineup. Often compared to Tracy Chapman and Odetta, she offers a strong vocal presence similar to recent performers like Cécile McLorin Salvant and Eliane Elias.

Past festivals have featured artists such as Michel Camilo, Tomatito, Marcus Miller, Toquinho, Al Di Meola, and Ron Carter. Earlier highlights included B.B. King, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, and George Coleman. More names are expected as the programme develops.