First edition of Formentera Jazz Festival will take place on the 5th, 6th and 7th of June. The festival will include a roundtable, children’s activities, and the FJF Jam Session, in addition to great artists such as the renowned Cuban trumpeter Carlos Sarduy, the remarkable voices of Ganavya Doraiswamy and Nêga Lucas, the duo of voice and guitar Mel Seme and voice and sax Alexey Reyes León, along with local musicians XBlues Connotation and Fred Guzzo and Golfo of Guinea.
Located in a privileged corner of the Mediterranean, throughout its history, the smallest island of the Pitiusas has always been the subject of many legends, both in novels written by renowned authors (such as Jules Verne, among others) and was visited by major artists during their passage through this corner of the Balearic Islands (Bob Dylan, Gilberto Gil, Pink Floyd and Bob Marley during the 60’s and 70’s). No wonder that this sublime environment was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999!
With the support of the Island Council, and based on the initiative of the musician (ex-member of the legendary Ojos de Brujo) and cultural producer Maxwell Moya, raised in Formentera and now teacher at the Berklee College of Music, the festival was born as a unique musical space in one place and with the elegance and freedom that jazz music embodies.
Plaça de Sant Francesc, Cine de Sant Francesc and the Blue Bar (Platja Migjorn) will be the venues of the festival activities.
OPENING ROUNDTABLE IN THE MUNICIPAL CINEMA OF FORMENTERA
The kick-off for the 3 days of concerts and activities for this first edition of the Formentera Jazz Festival will be celebrated with an “Opening Roundtable” to be held Friday 5th at 12pm in the Municipal Cinema of Formentera.
The debate will be presented by the director of the festival, Max Moya Wright; by the Russian-Cuban professional musician and professor of SedaJazz, Alexey León, and by Ulises Pistolo Eliza, creator of Pronóstica. Among other things, the origin and history of jazz will be discussed, and a collective reflection will be sought to try to agree on the meaning of “improvisation” both in jazz and in contemporary music in general. Furthermore, the 4th edition of Festival Internacional de Creació Contemporánea de les Illes Balears will be officially presented at this meeting.
THE KIDS WILL ALSO GO TO FJF
Formentera Jazz Festival has also given thought to the young ones. Max Moya and Mel Semé will be the master of ceremonies for this special activity, where they will teach a music workshop about singing and drumming for children of all ages. From music games, the objective of the workshop will be to promote music among the young of the island and so, develop its creative capacity.
Max Moya, professional percussionist for more than 15 years, has been percussionist for the renowned international band Ojos de Brujo and has collaborated in more than 20 albums. Mel Semé, Cuban singer and multi-instrumentalist, is an artist with more than 20 years of experience as a professional musician.
Moreover, both have taught in numerous workshops, and their experience as professional masters and musicians lead them to prepare the exercises that are chosen for the occasion, which will certainly awake the musical spirit of the little ones at the festival.
FORMENTERA JAZZ FESTIVAL JAM SESSION. IN THE CLOSING OF THE FESTIVAL, WE ALL PLAY!
What a better occasion, than the closing of the festival, to celebrate a unique meeting such as this Jam Session among local residents on the island and the musicians invited to the FJF.
The FJF Jam Session promises to be a magical action, and how it could not be. It will be a unique combination of Jazz, the beauty of the beach and the incomparable landmark of Blue Bar.