Rooftop Rhythms: Summer Jazz Concert Series

As if there isn’t already enough going on at Círculo de las Bellas Artes, you have yet another reason to check out one of Madrid’s most fruitful venues for the arts. Jazz Círculo, a summer program founded in 2007 to emanate the Jazz Clubs of New York, Paris and London, consists of successful and creative jazz bands. On an almost-weekly basis until the end of July, an evening concert will illuminate la azotea (the roof) of Bellas Artes. The venue itself is incredible. The open-air space is cool at night and offers beautiful vistas of Historic Madrid. Needless to say, if its been pouring all day, your concert is probably canceled, or rescheduled, so be sure to contact Círculo de las Bellas Artes.

Concert Schedule:
All Concerts start at 22:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 19th
Albert Villa Quintet was founded by Barcelonan musician Albert Villa in 2006. A year after its formation it was already a noted group with an album, Foreground Music (Fresh Sound Records), and a prize from the Debajazz Contest. Spanish jazz-enthusiasts consider Villa one of the post prominent jazz guitarists. This is definitely distinguished music in the world of Catalan Jazz.

Friday, July 2nd
The Larry Martin Band is one of the most noted and recognized band in the jazz-blues world of Spain. The band’s music has a large capacity to communicate emotion.  The lead singer, Yoio Cuesta, has incredible energy, as do the others – critics have noted that the members of band are all musicians who shine both on their own, and in a group setting. Larry Martin, the drummer and leader since 1996, works towards creating a collective community through his music.

Saturday, July 10th
The Flow could potentially attract a younger crowd. Hailing from Austria, The Flow is a lively and talented group. Their music gently asks the listener to go with The Flow and submit to their melodic rhythms and spontaneous improvisation (sometimes with a rock-feel, and always full of freshness). Wolfgang Muthspiel, renowned Austrian jazz guitarist with his own record label says that, “Some of the brightest lights of the rich young jazz scene in Austria have formed a collective, The Flow, whose path we follow with great expectations.“

Friday, July 16th
The VVG Trío
(Vansina-Verbruggen-Gudmundsson Trío)
Since the start, this Belgium-based band has strived to create its own sound, which is a tuneful merging of classic beats, its own compositions and loose improvisation. Little by little since the group’s birth in 2005, they have taken off in the world of jazz improvisation with a musical simplicity that is almost overwhelming. It is the temperament of their style and the members’ collective understanding for music that makes them stand out. They throw themselves into their improvisation with what they themselves describe as “nerve and knowledge. “

Where: Círculo de Las Bellas Artes
When: June  19th-July  16th, 2010
Cost: 15 euros, 12 euros with Socio
Metro: Sevilla or Banco de España

By Chloe Nash