Salvador Sobral, the young man who became a national hero when he won the Eurovision Song Contest for Portugal last month, is among headlining performers of Lagoa Jazz Fest taking place from Friday to Sunday (June 23-25) at Sítio das Fontes in Estombar.
The show will see Sobral take the stage on opening night alongside Alma Nuestra band, which also features Cuban pianist and songwriter Victor Samora.
There will also be a performance by pianist Pasquale Stafano and bandoneon (a Spanish instrument similar to an accordion) player Gianni Iorio who will present the ‘Nocturno’ project.
The following evening (June 24), only one concert is scheduled to showcase all the “talent and potential” of multi-instrumentalist Marius Preda and his quartet.
“A one-hour show would not be enough for Marius Preda 4teto to show its quality,” Joaquim Andrés, one of the festival’s organisers, told Barlavento newspaper.
Finally, there will be two shows on Sunday (June 25) featuring the Kolme trio and Flamenco guitarist Alberto López.
As Andrés explains, organisers always try to bring great live performers to the festival.
“Sometimes, an album may be a great album but it may not translate well live. We always are careful to see if an artist is good live. And we have been lucky enough to bring great live acts to this festival,” he said.
Another goal is to bring rarely seen instruments to Lagoa, like last year’s Japanese koto and this year’s bandoneon.
The festival sets out to highlight Portuguese artists “because there are lots of very good jazz musicians in Portugal”.
There will also be a lounge area with a painting exhibition by Xicofran and musical entertainment before and after concerts provided by guitarist António Mardel.
Doors open at 7pm, with concerts starting at 10pm.
Tickets cost €10 and can be purchased from Convento São José, the municipal auditorium, the Balcão Único de Lagoa, Worten and Fnac, as well as online at www.ticketline.pt
