Jazz lovers could miss an essential event on the calendar next year, the Jazzing Festival, whose continuity for 2024 is “in danger”. This was announced by the director and creator of the Sant Andreu Jazz Band, Joan Chamorro, and the project manager, Blanca Gallo.
“We are really doing miracles, it is very little money for a festival like this. It is a very nice project and one that we undertake every year with the same enthusiasm and desire, but I can't take it anymore”, Gallo acknowledged yesterday during a press conference at the Fabrica i Coats Creation Factory. In this same place, from September 1 to 3, the program will take place, which includes “practically all the musicians on the Catalan jazz scene, five big bands from different countries around the world, and outstanding international figures such as the tenor saxophones Scott Hamilton and Joel Frahm and the alto sax Gerry Lopez”. An edition where "the saxophone will be the protagonist and will give a lot of play".
Both Chamorro and Gallo demand their involvement and “serious support” from the institutions since, to date, “everything has been false promises. The budget started out at 25,000 euros and, in five years, it rose to 60,000, while in the tenth anniversary edition it is 100,000 euros, of which 40% comes from public aid. The rest comes from ticket sales, publicity, contributions from the Sant Andreu Jazz Band itself and from the friends of the Big Band, who with their contributions make the festival possible”.
The organizers consider this wake-up call necessary to be able to continue with this project, which brings so many “values to the Sant Andreu district and Barcelona. What other festival in the Catalan capital does your district promote? We do it locally and internationally. And what we want is to sit down and talk with the district, the city council and other institutions to see if this project is really interesting.”
The festival took advantage of yesterday's meeting to highlight its educational aspect, since it has master classes in which all attendees can participate. “We seek excellence, without stress but we seek it, because excellence in education works. If a child enjoys, learns and sees that he can do it, it is a motivation for him”. A methodology that Chamorro has been putting into practice for years and that he has exported to other countries.
In addition to an economic problem, Chamorro and Gallo showed their discontent about other aspects, such as the impossibility of carrying out certain activities. The 'jam sessions' after the concerts and the swing dances in Plaza Can Fabra will not be able to take place due to complaints from some neighbors. “The fun was being able to take music to the streets.”
Finally, the organizers recalled the role that women have acquired in jazz bands in recent years. “Before, they were limited to being the singer or, sometimes, the pianist, but it was very rare to find a big band made up of only women. Now, however, it is increasingly common and we have as an example the trombonist Alba Pujals and her group, whose music can be enjoyed today at 6 p.m. and at the closing ceremony along with other musicians. The authorities will determine whether or not it will be the last show.
