Following a year of celebrations for the fiftieth anniversary of the Club’s foundation, and on the cusp of its thirtieth edition, the Terrassa Jazz Festival has come around once again to showcase some of the most representative Spanish and international artists in this genre. The discovery of new talents and emerging figures is another constant feature of an event that is characterized by its across-the-board approach to jazz, bringing this genre of music to a hugely diverse audience. This approach is nothing new, but has always been one of its primary goals.

The 2010 event is also highly representative: top-level international artists will be in attendance, some to give an exclusive presentation of their latest albums, and others performing for the first time in Catalonia. This is the case of South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, appearing with his band Ekaya, a high-voltage ensemble featuring six outstanding soloists. This year also marks 23 years since the legendary Quartet West brought the language of bop to the leading jazz venues: Charlie Haden, Ernie Watts, Alan Broadbent and Rodney Green will be celebrating with a concert that represents their debut at the Festival. The Jazz Tribe, headed up by Bobby Watson with a roster of jazz maestros such as Curtis Lundy and Ray Mantilla – three artists who are visiting us for the first time – and joined by Jack Walrath and Xavier Davis, will be the exclusive production at Sabadell’s Teatre Principal, which is now consolidated as a Festival venue. Bluesmen Coco Montoya and Larry Garner are also debuting, as are singers and instrumentalists Dena DeRose and Sheila Cooper, and New Orleans trumpeter Wendell Brunious.

However, we should not forget the artists who have accompanied us on this journey. Old friends of the Festival are returning with fresh ideas, something we’re particularly excited about. The consummate jazzman, Hank Jones, will be showcasing his expertise in a solo piano performance. He first appeared at the Festival in 1983 with his trio, including Johnny Griffin and Eddie Davis, and between then and his last visit in 2000 with the Be Bop Legends, the Michigan jazzman has appeared on six occasions, always superlative. And others returning after an absence of 23 years are Quest. Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach, Ron McClure and Billy Hart will be opening the concert programme this year with their contemporary jazz. The Jazzterrassman award for 2010 goes to Roy Hargrove, in recognition of his contribution to jazz and his close bond with the city, coinciding with his seventh visit here. His performance will bring the Festival to a close as well as introducing the Texan trumpeter’s quintet to Terrassa.

DeDiego Brothers, Raül Reverter, the Lone Rhino Club, the Ivó Oller Quintet, Filthy Habits Ensemble Plays Zappa, Coco Montoya, Five in Orbit and Giulia Valle are all presenting new albums, and the Festival will bear witness to them, as it will for the big band potential of Catalan jazz. The Jazz Jove Non Stop event reflects what’s being heard in music schools, and this year it is dedicated to big bands: La Locomotora Negra will be sharing the stage with Big Mama; Big Band Jazz Terrassa is dedicating its concert to the music of composer Ed Neumeister, as well as opening up a new venue for the Festival in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, and the Original Jazz Orquestra of the Taller de Músics will be featuring Django Reinhardt’s music to commemorate the centenary of his birth. This tribute will also be reflected in the manouche concert given by the Biel Ballester trio with violinist Costel Nitescu, and in the “Jazzcent” series of conferences that pays homage to another master of swing: Artie Shaw. Fifty years without Billie Holliday will be commemorated by the THA exhibition and we will also be celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of La Vella Dixieland.

Swing and Lindy Hop sessions, parades, children’s workshops, Pixel Jazz (the photography competition of Pícnic·Jazz Vallparadís), the Record Fair, photography exhibitions, movie sessions featuring some great films, and the new Jam Sessions event are some of the other activities rounding off a programme of more than 30 concerts showcasing some 200 musicians.

This is what you can look forward to at the 29th Terrassa Jazz Festival, which from 6th to 28th March will transform the city into the dynamic hub of the jazz calendar. Everything’s ready to go, and we’re really looking forward to sharing it with you.

We look forward to seeing you there!