The IslaJazz Festival closed its programme successfully for the 2024 edition, with a total of 3 concerts on the main stage in the church square in Isla and the group called “Unusual Jazz”, six experiences in which the common thread is jazz, but which aim to be developed in different places around the municipality and in small formats, to introduce visitors to the culture, the rural world and the gastronomy of the Ecoparque.
For a few years now, the Ecoparque de Trasmiera has been expanding its range of leisure and cultural activities, clearly opting for more personal experiences, closer to the participants, and in small-group formats, to make it easier for unique emotions and memorable moments that will leave a lovely mark on our visitors.
With this in mind, we want Jazz to be the common thread running through UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES that take us to different locations around the municipality, where we can showcase our culture, gastronomy, nature and local artisan producers. Because at the Ecoparque de Trasmiera, music can only be an excuse to step into a unique territory and get to know its soul.
A festival that grows year after year, establishing itself as one of the most important summer events in Cantabria.
So, together with the major concerts held on the main stage in the church square in Isla, and with the idea that the whole municipality should become steeped in the magic of jazz, the festival moves to Castillo to discover the world of livestock farming and some local producers of cheeses and beers, to the Bodegas Isla vineyard to learn about the revived wine-making tradition, to the Astuy nursery to discover the exciting world of Isla’s langoustines, or to the Joyel Saltmarsh to fuse jazz with art and nature. A whole world of Jazz alternatives to enjoy both on a grand scale and on a small one.
The programme featured three main concerts in the historic centre of Isla:
Thursday 1 August: Sonia Vera Swing Band. Quintet based in Vitoria made up of members from the Basque Country and Catalonia. SONIA VERA SWING BAND is a swing, blues and jazz band in its broadest sense, having taken part in various festivals of the genre across different parts of the country. Recently, she recorded her first release as co-writer of all the songs and will present it during the coming autumn. They have taken part in numerous national festivals such as: the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival (Sagartoki, 2023), the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival (La Unión, 2023), the Mirajazz Festival in Miranda (2022), Bilbao’s big week 2017 and 2018, the 1st and 2nd editions of the “Gastroswing” festival 2013 and 2014 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the “Zaraswing” festival 2015 in Zaragoza, the “Bilboswing” festival 2016 in Bilbao, the Málaga Jazz Festival 2017.
Friday 2 August: Komando Funk. Essentially, it is a cover band. From Stevie Wonder to Bruno Mars, via Michael Jackson, Whitney Huston, Oasis or Britney Spears. Great classics from recent decades serve as inspiration for creating versions in the groovier, more current funk style. The result is sophisticated and seductive, yet at the same time cheerful and danceable. A real dose of energy led by the noaindarra Erika Imízcoz. Komando Funk’s musical proposal has a touch of nostalgia. When we listen to the tracks, we recognise each of the melodies because they are songs from the ’80s and ’90s but brought into their own territory. The musicians that make up Komando Funk are something else—everyone is trained at the Conservatory, and that shows in every track. With an excellent rhythmic base, the brass players have fun and Erika’s voice draws the melodies that you just love.
Saturday 3 August, 21:30. SOUL CITY. A group formed by the coming together of well-known musicians from the Cantabrian scene, with many hours on stage in different groups. On this occasion, they will surprise us with versions of the best soul classics, bringing back the golden years of this musical style, giving it a new feel through their three singers and nine instrumentalists, ready to give it their all on stage and offer their audience an unforgettable experience. They will present an extensive repertoire featuring the best of soul: Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and many more…
It is made up of: Oriana Carreño, Pedro Montero and Cristina Arnejo (vocals), accompanied by prestigious musicians, Manuel Cavero, saxophone, Chisco Villanueva, saxophone, Javier García Escudero, guitar, Rodrigo Irizábal, drums, Edu Diz, trombone, Benjamín Blanes, trumpet, Toño Gutiérrez, bass, Rafael Santana, piano and Johannes Gunkel, trumpet.
And in parallel, the UNUSUAL JAZZ were developed
-1 and 3 August. 19:00. Gastro-Jazz – Bodegas Viñedos Isla. Guided visit to Isla’s historic centre, vineyard and orchards, set to the backdrop of great jazz tracks. Wine tasting and sampling of local produce at the winery.
-4 August. 20:00. Sailor’s Jazz. Ermita Campo San Sebastián. Guided itinerary along the seafront walk and old Quejo nurseries, visit to the Astuy nursery, ending with a Twin Room concert in Astuy.
-5 August. 19:30. Agro Jazz. Ermita San Juan (Castillo). Visit an agro-livestock farm and concert by Oriana Carreño Duo in the field by the hermitage, with tastings of cheeses from Siete Villas artisan cheesemaker and craft beers La Cierva.
-6 August. 20:00. Jazz and wine. Viñedos de Bodegas Isla. Concert by Sunflowers, piano-voice duo, in the vineyard with wine tasting.
-7 August. 18:00 and 19:00. ArtJazz. Casa Mareas de Soano. Sensorial experience and reconnection with nature through painting, poetry, gastronomy and Jazz. With the collaboration of Juan Manuel España, Chef at Hotel Escuela Las Carolinas. Requires entry ticket.
From 20:00 onwards, with free access Opening exhibition “Territorio de Inspiración” by Rosa Puente and Mikel Alvira and final concert Isla Jazz 2024 by Sonia Vera Dúo.
