Cartagena Jazz Festival completes programme

The 44th Cartagena Jazz Festival runs from 29 October to 16 November and has completed its programme with free concerts at Plaza del Icue and a local series at Mr. Witt Café, alongside the main events at El Batel and El Luzzy. Full details and tickets are available at www.jazz.cartagena.es.

On Saturday mornings in November at 12:30, Plaza del Icue will host free swing sessions. Lucky Lips open on 1 November; Cash in the Hat, now a full band, performs on 8 November; and The Sentimental Gentlemen, a Madrid-based group specialising in 1930s–40s swing, appear on 15 November.

Each Wednesday at 21:30, the Creadores cycle at Mr. Witt Café showcases emerging talent. The series starts on 29 October with Triceratops, a Cartagena trio fusing West African traditional sounds with contemporary textures. On 5 November bassist Choby Scheufler and singer Leyre Perrino present a blend of Brazilian music, flamenco and jazz; and on 12 November pianist Eugenio Fernández offers flamenco palos shaded by jazz. Tickets for Mr. Witt cost €5 (reservations at 619 123 627 or on site).

The main festival programme also includes international names such as Morgan, Paquito D’Rivera, Gustavo Santaolalla, Tigran Hamasyan, Dorantes, Stacey Kent and Cecile McLorin Salvant. The opening night at El Batel on 31 October will pay tribute to Paco de Lucía with artists including Josemi Carmona, Chano Domínguez, Duquende and Farru.

The schedule reflects the city council’s aim to combine high-profile international acts with support for local and regional emerging artists, preserving free events and affordable tickets in parallel programmes. See the full programme and buy tickets at www.jazz.cartagena.es.