The Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival has been celebrated annually in July since 1977, in

Vitoria-Gasteiz Vitoria-Gasteiz (; ), also alternatively spelled as Vittoria in old English-language sources, is the seat of government and the capital city of the Basque Country and of the province of Álava in northern Spain. It holds the autonomous community' ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

History

Initially, the festival lasted two days. In 1981 artists including Oscar Peterson and Muddy Waters began to appear. Later came

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

, Dizzy Gillespie with Stan Getz, Sarah Vaughan and

Jaco Pastorius John Francis Anthony "Jaco" Pastorius III (; December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) was an American jazz bassist, composer and producer. He recorded albums as a solo artist and band leader and was a member of Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. ...

. Since 1995 the festival has been celebrated in

Mendizorrotza Mendizorrotza or Mendizorroza is a football stadium in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. The stadium is the home ground of Deportivo Alavés. History Opened on 27 April 1924, it is currently the third oldest football stadium in the Spanish Professional ...

, expanding to a full week of concerts and music-related activities. In 1999, in its 14th edition, the series ''Jazz of the 21st Century'' provided an opportunity for jazz musicians coming to Spain for the first time. Artists such as Noa, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Esperanza Spalding, Thomas Chapin and

Esbjörn Svensson Bror Fredrik "Esbjörn" Svensson (16 April 1964 – 14 June 2008) was a Swedish jazz pianist and founder of the jazz group Esbjörn Svensson Trio, commonly known as e.s.t. Svensson became one of Europe's most successful jazz musicians at the tur ...

have been featured. Jazzvitoria Metheny

The festival also introduced an educational program for students and professionals which drew teachers including Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown,

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Marsalis has won nine Grammy Award ...

Pat Metheny Patrick Bruce Metheny ( ; born August 12, 1954) is an American jazz guitarist and composer. He is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works, and other side projects. His style incorporates elements of progre ...

Juilliard School The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most elit ...

of New York and Fred Hersch. There have been meetings in

that have passed to the music history such as Dizzy Gillespie with Stan Getz, Chick Corea with

Bobby McFerrin Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. (born March 11, 1950) is an American folk and jazz singer. He is known for his vocal techniques, such as singing fluidly but with quick and considerable jumps in pitch—for example, sustaining a melody while also rap ...

, Paco de Lucía with

and

Jamie Cullum Jamie Cullum (born 20 August 1979) is an English jazz-pop singer, songwriter and radio presenter. Although primarily a vocalist and pianist, he also accompanies himself on other instruments, including guitar and drums. He has recorded nine stu ...

with

José James José James (born January 20, 1978) is an American vocalist who combines jazz and hip hop. Biography José James attended The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. In 2008, he debuted with his first album, ''The Dreamer'', on the Brownsw ...

. The festival inspired Wynton Marsalis to compose ''

Vitoria Suite The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is an American big band and jazz orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. The Orchestra is part of Jazz at Lincoln Center, a performing arts organization in New York City. History In 1988 the Orchestra was formed a ...

'' with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Paco de Lucía as guest. In 2010 it was presented as a CD, as a tribute to Vitoria-Gasteiz and its festival. The festival is the only Spanish festival that belongs to the IJFO (International Jazz Festival Organization).

External links

''Official Website''
{{coord, 42.8500, N, 2.6833, W, source:wikidata, display=title Jazz festivals in Spain 1977 establishments in Spain