March is Jazz month in Terrassa. From the 5th to the 29th, we’ll be celebrating a new edition of the Jazz Festival, now in its twenty-eighth year. This year, however, has a special significance: the Club is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its foundation: a long and fruitful journey that has gifted us with some wonderful musical moments from some of the greatest jazzmen.

Some of them will be here with us at the 2009 event, such as the World Saxophone Quartet, a legendary ensemble that will delight the most demanding audience with the ‘freest’ propositions of this year’s festival. Lonnie Brooks will also be here as the star of the classic “Blues Night”, following on from his only concert in the city back in 1990. An old friend is back with a new project: the flamenco fusion sound led by Dave Holland and Pepe Habichuela, who is playing for the first time at the Festival with the Carmonas. Didier Lockwood will also be coming to present his album dedicated to that virtuoso of French jazz, Stéphane Grappelli. Another master presenting his album is Ahmad Jamal. “It’s Magic” is the title of his new CD which you can hear at the Nova Jazz Cava in one of the most hotly-anticipated live performances. And drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts will be giving his only concert in Spain as the leader of one of the most powerful quartets on the North American scene.

We cannot forget to mention two of our sadly-departed Jazzterrassmen: Johnny Griffin and Peer Wyboris will live on in the memories of jazz fans through the performance of Phil Woods, one of the greatest saxophonists in the genre. With Brian Lynch as guest artist, the evening promises to be a unique event.

The Cookers, a production in memory of Lee Morgan and bringing together some great names from the jazz scene, is the bopper-led concert dedicated especially to the 50th anniversary of Jazz Terrassa.

The Festival moves away from home base with two concerts combining Spanish and international jazz: at the Rubí Sala, saxophonist Jim Snidero and the trio of guitarist Jordi Farrés; and at the Teatre Principal in Sabadell, trumpeter Charles Tolliver and the Big Band Jazz Terrassa. Two exclusive productions that broaden the event’s catchment area to two venues chosen ‘strategically’ by the Catalan government.

On the national scene it’s almost impossible to choose given the huge range on offer: Sergi Sirvent, Enrique Oliver, David Pastor, Big Mama, Ignasi Terraza, Josep M. Farràs, Pedro Ruy Blas, Francesc Capella, Jordi Gardeñas, Laia Porta, Lluís Coloma, Julián Sánchez, Clara Luna, Enric Carreras, Dani Nel·lo & Myriam Sawnson, Llibert Fortuny... and a new contingent of up-and-coming talents at JazzJove. This year’s Jazzterrassman, in the year that marks the Club’s anniversary, could be none other than Adrià Font, backed by his travelling companions at what’s bound to be an emotional get-together. Equally special will be the recording of the concert given by the CMS Trio. They were sponsored by the Festival where they presented their debut album and are now back to record “Live in Terrassa”.

A total of three hundred musicians, thirty-six concerts – twelve of which will be popularizing jazz in open-air venues – and numerous parallel activities to round off the musical programme with exhibitions, conferences, cinema, swing, marching bands and this year, too, children’s workshops, all demonstrate the Festival’s evident commitment to musical quality in a programme aimed at every age group. This is what the 28th Terrassa Jazz Festival is all about - to make March the jazziest month in the calendar! All we need is you to come and make it happen!

We look forward to seeing you!