The jazzmadird 2026 festival, organised by the Madrid City Council, will take place from 16 to 22 October, bringing together various musical styles including jazz, electronic music, afrobeat, flamenco, and cultural activism.
Beginning on 16 October, the festival will kick off with performances at the Sala Villanos, featuring German artist Daniel Plessow, known as Motor City Drum Ensemble, alongside Marcos Boricua and Javi Frías. Plessow is renowned for his ability to blend house, techno, jazz, and soul, offering a contemporary club culture experience rooted in tradition.
On 18 October, DJ Toner Q4rtet will perform with Swiss trumpeter Erik Truffaz. DJ Toner, a pioneer in integrating turntablism with live instrumentation, will collaborate with Truffaz, creating a fusion of avant-garde jazz, abstract hip hop, and electronic music, rich in timbre and improvisation.
The programme continues on 21 October with corto.alto at Sala Villanos. This project, led by Scottish composer and multi-instrumentalist Liam Shortall, has gained critical acclaim for its innovative approach to contemporary jazz, blending influences from club culture, hip hop, soul, and electronic music.
On 22 October, two performances will highlight contemporary interpretations of traditional music. The French sextet Akoni Astrobeat will take the stage at Intruso Bar as part of the 'Jazz con Sabor a Club' cycle. Formed in Toulouse, the group creates a vibrant instrumental sound inspired by afrobeat, afro-funk, ethio-jazz, and various musical traditions from North Africa and the Middle East.
Also on 22 October, Duquende, a prominent figure in contemporary flamenco, will perform at Sala Villanos. Discovered as a child by the legendary Camarón de la Isla, Duquende has collaborated with renowned guitarist Paco de Lucía and will be accompanied by Joni Jiménez, winner of the 2024 Bordón Minero, along with Rapico, El Barullo, and Pol Vaquero on palmas. This performance will showcase Duquende's artistic journey, which has taken him to major international stages, solidifying his status as a leading voice in modern flamenco.
With this week of programming, jazzmadird 2026 continues to promote the coexistence of musical disciplines, generations, and backgrounds, supported by a network of collaborating venues that enhances the festival's presence in the city and fosters connections between emerging international scenes and established artists.
