The Vijazz Festival will return to Vilafranca del Penedès from 3 to 5 July, featuring performances by prominent artists such as Lakecia Benjamin and Incognito, according to festival organisers. The annual event will bring a range of jazz styles to the Penedès region.
Lakecia Benjamin, a leading figure in New York's current jazz scene, is scheduled to perform on 5 July. British acid jazz pioneers Incognito will also take the stage on 3 July. These acts are part of the 2026 edition of the festival.
Festival Highlights and Jazz Influences
The festival's programme includes a variety of jazz styles. The line-up will explore the legacy of West Coast jazz, a style popular in the 1950s and 60s, often seen as California's answer to New York's hard bop. This includes music from saxophonist Art Pepper's groups and the quintets led by bassist Curtis Counce.
Beyond traditional jazz, the festival will also present jazz fused with contemporary classical influences. This includes proposals from clarinetist Laporta, active in the 1950s, and contemporary German saxophonist Flick. The programme will conclude with music from Miles Davis, marking the centenary of his birth on 26 May.
Broader Jazz Scene in Catalonia
The Vijazz Festival is one of several jazz events happening across Catalonia this summer. Other notable performances in Barcelona and nearby towns include Ulf Wakenius and Ignasi Terraza at Club Jamboree on 20 May, Oriol Vallès Quartet at El Molino on 22 May, and Sullivan Fortner at the Conservatori del Liceu on 31 May as part of the Jazz Festival.
Looking ahead to July, Julius Rodriguez will play at Club Jamboree on 2 July. Joshua Redman and Bill Frisell are scheduled for Can Reon in Tiana on 4 and 5 July respectively. Esperanza Spalding will also perform at Vijazz on 5 July. Later in the month, Pat Metheny and Marcus Miller will appear at the Palau de la Música on 23 and 24 July, also part of the Jazz Festival. The International Classic Jazz All Stars will play at Club Jamboree on 8 July.
