‘Mar i Jazz’  returns to the Parque Dr. Lluch, being held from 10 – 12 June. After a few years of hiatus following covid, the jazz festival plans on making its reappearance bigger and better than ever. The festival is increasing its number of stages from two to four: the Cabanyal Stage, the DJ Stage, the Cap de Franca Stage and the Jazztone Stage. As another mark of its expansion, it plans on featuring more than twenty groups and 120 artists overall. Not confined to jazz, it will incorporate world music and funk and soul. This range of music, according to its organisers, comes from a wish for the festival to be approachable ‘for all audiences’. “Within the programme”, they comment, “both connoisseurs of jazz and those who are not so familiar with this genre will find their place”.

The Cabanyal Stage will host Thaïs Morell, RdeRumba + Porcel featuring Sho-Hai and Sholo Truth, Viktorija Pilatovic, The Sey Sisters, JPattersson, Pi McCarthy and the Jove Big Band Sedajazz during the three days of the festival. And on the Cap de França stage, Nino de los reyes, Phonographe, Jazzomingos Jam-Session, Ariel Brínguez, Balkan Paradise Orchestra, Babalu Swing Band and Glenda del E + Q-ban Mixology.

The DJ stage will incorporate this non-jazz musical element, featuring predominantly funky house, soul, reggae and cumbia. This includes artists such as AFFKT & Sujta Gutierrez, Depanachi and DJ Rosvil.

Alongside four stages, the festival will encompass a gastronomic area, a market and a space dedicated to children. Children under 12 will also have free admission to workshops and activities, part of the festival’s commitment to creating a festive, family and safe atmosphere. Its gastronomical element is representative of its location within the old fishing town, inviting its audience to trial out the flavours of the local neighbourhood.

Since its birth in 2016, the festival has had strong links to its community. Founded by owners of restaurants and music venues in the Cabanyal area, it also has close collaborations with ACIPMAR (Association of Traders and Maritime Professionals), the Valencia City Council, the Sedajazz School and Cervezas Alhambra. In particular, its links to the Sedajazz School, Berklee and the Valencia Conservatory allow young people to showcase their talent at the event on the Jazztone Stage.

Report by Anusha Vasudeva

Article copyright ’24/7 Valencia’

Parque Dr. Lluch, 46011 Valencia

https://www.marijazz.es/ – visit for tickets, ticket price going at 20€