The atmospheric restaurant of ‘Mar D’Amura’ in Valencia was the perfect setting for an evening of sophisticated cool jazz, delivered by the Juan Saus Quartet. The ensemble brought an elegant and emotionally nuanced performance to the stage, showcasing both classic repertoire and subtle interplay between seasoned musicians and young virtuosos.

Line-Up:

• Juan Saus – Alto Saxophone
• Latino Blanco – Baritone Saxophone
• Pepe Taveira – Drums
• Martina Sabariego – Double Bass

The quartet opened with the classic “Love Me or Leave Me”, immediately setting a tone that balanced laid-back phrasing with rhythmic precision. Juan Saus’s warm  tone danced gracefully through the melody, while Latino Blanco’s rich baritone counterpoint added depth and colour. Their interplay was conversational, at times playful, yet always grounded in the aesthetics of cool jazz: relaxed but never loose.

Next came “Bunny”, a lesser-known gem that allowed drummer Pepe Taveira to stretch out with understated finesse. His brushwork added texture and momentum without ever overpowering the horns, creating a subtle swing pocket that carried throughout the set.

The band’s rendition of “All the Things You Are” highlighted Martina Sabariego’s lyrical approach to the double bass. Her walking lines were fluid and articulate, providing a strong harmonic foundation while also weaving melodic threads of her own. The classic tune became a shared canvas for the horn players to explore counterpoint and harmonic subtleties, demonstrating a rare balance between structure and spontaneity.

“Line for Lyons”, a nod to Gerry Mulligan and the West Coast jazz scene, seemed tailor-made for the Saus-Blanco front line. The cool jazz signature—restrained intensity, intellectual phrasing, and a dry, melodic humour—was fully on display. Blanco’s solo in particular drew murmurs of appreciation from the audience for its clarity and soulful baritone tone.

In “Festive Minor”, the group delved into slightly darker harmonic territory, with a pensive, moody ambiance. Saus and Blanco alternated leads and harmonized with striking sensitivity, while Sabariego’s passages added a haunting texture.

The penultimate piece, “Limelight”, was a subtle tribute to Gerry Mulligan’s timeless composition. The quartet imbued it with a melancholic elegance, taking their time with phrasing and creating space between notes that invited reflection.

Closing the night on an upbeat note, “Carioca” brought a rhythmic brightness that had heads nodding and feet tapping. Taveira’s drumming here was especially expressive, blending Latin-inflected grooves with crisp cymbal accents. The quartet’s dynamic cohesion and joy in playing were palpable—ending the evening on a high note.

Conclusion:
The Juan Saus Quartet delivered a refined and heartfelt performance that honoured the cool jazz tradition while injecting it with their own personality and interplay. The setlist was thoughtfully curated, the venue added charm, and the musicianship throughout was of a high calibre. For fans of elegant, emotionally intelligent jazz, this concert was a memorable highlight in Valencia’s vibrant summer music calendar. Sedajazz leader Latino Blanco is uncle to Juan Saus, and nephew Juan is already an alto saxophonist with a very promising future. He has a lyricsism to his playing that is very distinctive…the notes almost become words and the music swings too. This was the last jazz concert of the season at ‘Mar D’Amura’ before the summer break. Many thanks to organiser Shyamala for making possible so many special jazz concerts in Valencia!

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright 24/7 Valencia team

Photo copyright ’24/7 Valencia’

Date: 18 July
Venue: Mar D’Amura, Valencia
Genre: Cool Jazz