60th Jazzaldia: A perfect year

A total of 158,700 people flocked to the 52 free concerts, while another 20,480 went to those where patrons were required to pay. Tickets were bought in 40 different countries: Spain, France, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Hungary…17 concerts were completely sold out and 99.03% of all numbered tickets were sold. The “sold out” sign was put up at the 4 concerts staged in Trinitate Plaza, at 3 of the 5 held at Kutxabank Kursaal Auditorioa, at 3 of the 5 that took place at Škoda San Telmo Museoa, at all 5 held at FCC Victoria Eugenia Antzokia, at one of the two in Chillida Leku, as well as the one in the Maria Cristina Hotel.

The musical quality throughout this year’s edition was nothing short of excellent, with big artists, local and international stars, emerging talents, and great diversity in terms of style...Among the memorable moments that will be forever etched in the long history of Jazzaldia: Kurt Elling’s voice, a voice like no other; the magnetism and depth of feeling of Dee Dee Bridgewater; the variety of registers heard on the guitar of the great Marc Ribot, who performed at three concerts; the musical perfection of Holland and Potter; the passion and duende of Yerai Cortés; the coolness and contagious charm of Jamie Cullum; The Beach Boys, headed up by Mike Love, with their repertoire of great hits, simply out of this world; the poetic intensity of Anari; Bill Bruford, recipient this year of the Donostiako Jazzaldia Award, with his absolute mastery on drums; the rollicking authenticity of Minyo Crusaders; and the masses of followers (of all generations) of Bulego, who flocked to Keler Gunea to see them.

The Festival wishes to thank and give a shout out to the general public for their response. Not only were there massive crowds at all the concerts. Once again this year their behaviour was exemplary. Not a single incident of any sort. During Jazzaldia, the city was engulfed in music, throbbing with festivity and celebration.

Trinitate Plaza

Steve Coleman & Five Elements set the ball rolling as far as the Trinitate Plaza concerts were concerned, with a wonderful m-base concert. Kurt Elling rounded things off that night with his spectacular voice, accompanied by The Yellowjackets, paying tribute to Weather Report, one of the best concerts this year.

On Friday July 25, Marc Ribot Hurry Red Telephone served up a once-in-a-lifetime guitar concert that was all improvisation. Dee Dee Bridgewater received the Donostiako Jazzaldia Award that night, honouring her for her entire career, and showed she still is one of the best voices in the world of Jazz.

On July 26, Brad Mehldau, technically perfect, all delicacy and genius, had audiences eating out of his hands from the very first note he played. After him, Dave Holland and Chris Potter presented their Kismet project, with Potter sublime on sax and Holland magnificent on double bass.

On July 27, the last day, Chicuelo - Mezquida presented Del alma, guitar and piano combining to perfection. And there was a very moving end to the Plaza Trinidad concerts. The emotion in the crowd present for the tribute being paid to the sorely missed Paco de Lucía was palpable, as all were treated to a flamenco fiesta featuring great stars like Josemi Carmona, Chano Domínguez, Duquende and an absolutely sublime Antonio Lizana.

Kutxabank Kursaal Auditorioa

The Kursaal was the venue this year for 5 superlative concerts. On Day 1, Jamie Callum, as usual, gave his all, winning over his audience with a show that was nothing short of magnificent. On July 23, The Beach Boys took us back in time with their great hits. On July 24, Yerai Cortes charmed us with his guitar, accompanied by 6 incredible palmeras and cantaoras. On the 25, “Bruxo” Hermeto Pascoal brought his own particular touch of magic, accompanied by his exceptional band. On the 26, Nala Sinephro was forced to cancel her concert, for health reasons. And to round things off here, we were treated to a generous dosage of Oscar Peterson’s music in a concert to celebrate 100 years since his birth.

FCC Victoria Eugenia Antzokia

This venue hosted the eleventh edition of JazzEñe, held for the fifth consecutive year in Jazzaldia, and the “sold out” sign had to be brought out every day. We were treated to 8 top-quality musical offerings: from J. Fox, Juanfe Pérez, Maite Akustik Quintet, Román Filiú, EME EME Project, El Cuarteto Federal, Pere Bujosa Trío and Daniel Román Jazz Quintet.

On July 27, Marc Ribot, whose show was also sold out, received the Donostiako Jazzaldia Award from Miguel Martín, and then proceeded, with his group, Ceramic Dog, to offer his third and final concert at Jazzaldia this year. If such a thing as Jazz guitar perfection did indeed exist, Ribot would come close to being the embodiment of it.

Keler Gunea

Keler Gunea, on Zurriola Beach, once again proved to be the most massively attended venue (some 110,000 people this year). From July 23 to 26, we were treated to two concerts a day there.

On July 23, Jamie Cullum inaugurated activities there, and thousands turned up to enjoy his concert, which was a real party from beginning to end. After him, at 11.30pm, came the turn of The War and Treaty, Tanya and Michael Trotter, accompanied by an excellent band. With their powerful voices and colossal stage presence, the crowd was absolutely bowled over.

On July 24, Anari showed that she is one of the great Basque singer-songwriters of today. And after her, came EXTC, with their very well-known 1990s repertoire.

Judith Hill kicked off proceedings on July 25, with her incredible voice and powerful guitar. Crystal Murray took over for the second concert of the night. And made everyone dance.

On the 26, 32,000 souls gathered to see Bulego, who sang and danced their very catchy numbers in a concert for all generations. To round off the Keler Gunea concerts, Catalan group, Sidonie, once again showed why they are right there at the top on the Spanish indie music scene.

Škoda San Telmo Museoa

The five mid-morning concerts at the San Telmo Museum again provided a very special opportunity to see and listen to great musicians up close, in a setting that radiates peace and tranquillity.

The first three concerts were piano solo shows, with three remarkable pianists: Baptiste Trotignon on July 23; Bojan Z on the 24; and Pierre de Bethmann on the 25. On the 26, Marc Ribot showed that he also is a master of the acoustic guitar, no less of a genius with soft registers of less high voltage. The Kirk Knuffke Quartet offered the last of the concerts at Škoda San Telmo Museoa, on July 27, with the captivating sound of Knuffke’s trumpet, plus tuba, bass and drums.

Frigo Gunea, Fnac Gunea, Nauticool and Chillida Leku

Terraces and open venues were once again a pleasant meeting point for thousands of people, who were treated to free concerts featuring local and international artists.

Thousands flocked to the free concerts at the Frigo Gunea and Fnac Gunea terraces (39,100). The varied fare offered at both venues featured the likes of Thomas Camille, Biper Swing, Ura Duo, Suite Seda, Eneko Dieguez Quartet, Alma Seben, Velasquartet, Femmm and Band, Soul Cream, La Quinta Planta, Los Diversos, Itziar Yagüe & Paul San Martín, Arima Soul System. That, as far as local groups were concerned... Great national and international names also appeared at both places: Naïssam Jalal, Pete Roth Trio featuring Bill Bruford, Patax, Minyo Crusaders, The Amy Winehouse Band, Jessie Gordon Quintet, Pianoforte, JazzyBit…

A privileged venue along the Concha Bay, El Nautico was also chock-a-block every day, with lots of people going there to sing and dance along to what was being offered by the 15 DJs who were there ‘doing their thing’: Arima Soul System, Rosco, Beltza Weekend Djs, Roberto Tortuga, Lidiuska...

Jazzaldia also staged 6 concerts at the Chillida Leku Museum, a setting that blends music and art. Out in the open, in the lovely gardens of the museum: Bascolombia, where Oreka TX, a local group, join forces with the Colombian group, Phonclórica; Iñaki Salvador and Marco Mezquida; plus two Txikijazz concerts. Two concerts were also held in the spectacular setting of the Zabalaga Farmhouse: one at which the Lew Tabackin Quartet performed, the other featuring Jordina Millá & Barry Guy.

Txikijazz

In this its 13th edition, Txikijazz once again underlined that it is an integral part of Jazzaldia: something specially conceived for little boys and girls to embrace music from within the warmth of the family. There were 5 concerts at three different venues, where workshops were also available: Kutxa Fundazioa at Tabakalera Plaza, Chillida Leku, and Fnac Gunea.

Once again this year results far exceeded the organisation’s expectations, most notably on the last day at Fnac Gunea, when The Amy Whitehouse Band had the whole crowd dancing, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. On July 26, Arima Soul made us forget the rain that fell at Chillida Leku before beginning to belt out their very lively “euskal soul”. Concerts from the always-highly-entertaining Old School Funky Family, as well as Irati Bilbao and Claire Martin, with their formidable voices, were also quite special. Along with the concerts, Txikijazz 13 also offered workshops, which were very well attended.

The organisers of Txikijazz wish to thank all the families for their participation and for their respect for music. Thanks to them and their spirit of collaboration, we can say that this was one of the best editions of Txikijazz. The type of success that makes us eagerly look forward to next year and begin, as we speak, preparations for 14 Txikijazz, in July 2026.

Jazzaldia. A Visual Journey

On July 11, a photography exhibition, curated by Lolo Vasco, official Jazzaldia photographer for the last 26 years, was inaugurated at the San Telmo Museum, to commemorate 60 years of this event. 211 photographs that take us on a visual journey laden with emotions and memories. The exhibition, open to the public free of charge, will remain open till September 28.

Streamings and social media

This year we streamed all 8 JazzEñe concerts free of charge. All will remain on our YouTube channel, available to watch at any time. We have, as of today, some 50,145 followers on social networks.

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61 Jazzaldia (2026)

We are already preparing for and working on the next edition of The San Sebastian Jazz Festival, the sixty-first, which will run from July 22 to 26, 2026.