Maria João, Cristina Branco and Adolfo Luxúria Canibal among the artists performing at Jazz at Monserrate

The names of the 44 artists on the line-up for ‘Jazz at Monserrate,’ taking place from 8 to 17 September, have now been confirmed. Maria João, Cristina Branco and Adolfo Luxúria Canibal are among the artists performing in the magical atmosphere of the Park of Monserrate at the end of the summer. The festival comprises six days, spread over two weekends, devoted to jazz, cinema and the spoken word – including concerts for families – in a total of 13 events, some of them with free admission, over three stages, in different parts of the park.

In a festive atmosphere, the presentation of the programme of the second edition of "Jazz in Monserrate" took place this Sunday afternoon in the Music Room of the Palace of Monserrate, with several artists who are part of this year's line up.

The announcement was followed by a free concert by the Kolme trio – formed of the musicians Ruben Alves (piano), Miguel Amado (double bass) and Carlos Antunes (drums) – who performed on the palace terrace, next to the Triton Fountain, for an audience who made the most of the opportunity to watch the show for free and be the first to discover the festival line-up.

Addressing everyone who attended the event, Sofia Cruz, president of the Parques de Sintra Board of Directors, asserted that this festival “is an invitation to relax and enjoy the space, to share and socialise.” She also stressed that “in this second edition, the initiative has grown wings. Jazz will mix with other forms of artistic expression, over 6 days, on 3 stages and with 44 artists. Here, we can combine the best programme with a venue of incomparable beauty.”

Finally, she emphasised: “We believe this project will become a point of reference in Portugal and feature on European jazz itineraries.” Sofia Cruz also thanked BPI – Fundação ‘la Caixa,’ sponsor of the festival, “whose support from the outset has been decisive in promoting the project,’ as well as Tranquilidade, another sponsor of ‘Jazz at Monserrate.’

On behalf of Clave na Mão, responsible for the artistic concept of the festival, Sérgio Machado Letria and Márcia Lessa recalled the “many months of preparation, telephone calls, emails and countless contacts” in the lead up to the public presentation of ‘Jazz at Monserrate’ and made a point of thanking: “All those who were with us, musicians and technicians, the audience who attended the concert by the Kolme trio, the Parques de Sintra team, and the sponsors and patrons of the Festival.”

“This evening was special, because it brought us another step closer to the festival taking place from 8 to 17 September. But it was also special because of the looks, the smiles, the friendly atmosphere among all those who were at Monserrate, who now feel that this festival is their ‘home’ too,” they concluded.

Festival embraces other artistic expressions while maintaining its identity

While Jazz is transversal to the entire programme, this second edition of "Jazz in Monserrate" goes further by establishing bridges with other forms of artistic expression such as cinema and spoken word. The concept of the festival is the same, based on a solid and high quality programme that draws on the dialogue between music, heritage and nature, but which also ‘embraces’ new art forms, in the certainty that jazz is always able to transcend disciplines.

‘Jazz at Monserrate’ kicks off on 8 September, with Zé Eduardo Unit – ‘A Jazzar no Cinema Português’ [Jazzing in Portuguese Cinema]. The concert brings to the jazz world themes that have featured in the soundtracks for various Portuguese films from different periods.

The following day, the programme opens with Nomad Nenufar, a duo fusing jazz with electronic sounds.

Next is a concert with commentary, by the acclaimed Hot Clube de Portugal sextet, celebrating 75 years of the legendary Lisbon club. The show will include brief explanations about the music being played, in a journey through the history of jazz.

The day is rounded off by pianist Filipe Melo and drummer João Pereira, who provide a musical accompaniment to the film La Jetée, by Chris Marker. A perfect demonstration of the innovative spirit of the Nouvelle Vague, the film is, more than anything, a revolutionary experience of immense creativity that combines several art forms. It will be narrated by Beatriz Batarda.

On 10 September, the programme starts with a concert/performance for families devised by Nuno Cintrão. ‘A Improvisar é que a gente se entende’ [Improvising is how people understand one another] is a unique musical creation experience, in which the audience is invited to take part in the show.

The experimental tone continues with Guarda-Rios, a bird with three voices that unites João Neves, Susana Nunes and Mariana Camacho on a journey through Portuguese popular music and through the free exploration of the voice.

Bringing the day to a close, guitarist Nuno Costa and pianist Óscar Graça present another film set to music: I don’t want to be a man, by Ernst Lubitsch, will enter into dialogue with the music composed and performed by the two musicians, in the Park of Monserrate.

On the second weekend of ‘Jazz at Monserrate,’ the first performance, on 15 September, is the concert The Art of Song vol. 1 – When Baroque Meets Jazz, which brings together piano by Filipe Raposo and the voice of Rita Maria. The show is a fusion of erudite music, jazz and traditional song.

The festival continues on 16 September with a spoken word performance by Pedro Freitas, the ‘Poet of the City,’ and saxophone by Kenny Caetano. Placing the Portuguese language centre stage, ‘Poezz’ is based on texts brought together in the anthology of the same name, organised by José Duarte and Ricardo António Alves, and highlights the poetry of authors including Djavan, Drummond de Andrade and Rui Knopfli.

Next come two fundamental names in Portuguese jazz: Maria João and Carlos Bica Quarteto. The Park of Monserrate will be the setting for a concert attesting to the friendship and musical intimacy between them, which began in the 1980s and resulted in two records: Conversa (1986) and Sol (1991).

The programme for the last day of the festival, 17 September, once again features a concert for families with children from the age of 3. ‘O Jazz é Fixe’ [Jazz is Cool], by the trio composed of Alvaro Rosso (double bass), Vânia Couto (voice and guitar) and João Mortágua (saxophone), provides a fun and creative journey through the world of jazz, making use of objects that, at first, appear to have nothing to do with music.

Later, the spoken word returns, this time with two of the most influential figures on the Portuguese music scene over the last 40 years: Adolfo Luxúria Canibal (voice) and Carlos Barretto (double bass). Olhar o abysmo sem o deixar ganhar [Looking into the abyss without letting it win] is a concert based on texts and poems published by Abysmo.

‘Jazz at Monserrate’ closes with Bernardo Moreira Sexteto featuring Cristina Branco as a guest. The concert Entre Paredes [Between Walls] brings us the sounds of the brilliant guitarist Carlos Paredes through the musical reading of Bernardo Moreira who, with musicians from different generations, combines jazz, fado, song and Coimbra fado.

Visitors who purchase a ticket for the Park and Palace of Monserrate will have free admission to the concerts held within the usual opening hours of the monument (09:00 > 19:00). The concerts scheduled for 19:30 and 21:00 can be accessed by purchasing a single day ticket, costing €15.

Those who wish to attend the full programme, also benefiting from daytime entry to the Park and Palace of Monserrate on all days of ‘Jazz at Monserrate,’ can purchase a festival ticket at a cost of €76.50. Tickets will also be on sale for each weekend of the festival – 8-10 September and 15-17 September – for €40.50. These will give access to all concerts on the specified weekend and also include daytime entry to the Park and Palace of Monserrate. Tickets are on sale at www.jazzemmonserrate.pt.

‘Jazz at Monserrate’ is promoted by Parques de Sintra, with the artistic concept by Clave na Mão. ‘Jazz at Monserrate and BPI – Fundação ‘la Caixa’ is patron to this event. It is also sponsored by Tranquilidade and supported by Sintra Municipal Council. Antena 2 ans SAPO are the media partners for the event.

© PSML/Atelier Obscura