The festival's inaugural edition dedicates three days to jazz, bringing together acclaimed musicians such as the Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos & Fuensanta, Mário Barreiros with his new album “Na Pele da Terra”, and the project “Legacy: Miles & Coltrane”. The event also includes masterclasses, film screenings, and café-concert sessions, extending into the night with performances by the Romeu Tristão Trio and after-hours sessions.
With Mário Barreiros as patron and curator, the festival aims to celebrate jazz in its diverse expressions and foster encounters between different generations of musicians. The program kicks off on October 29 at 9:30 PM with the Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos & Fuensanta. Singer, composer, and double bassist Fuensanta, winner of the Prinses Christina Jazz Concours in 2016, brings her fusion of Mexican folklore, Latin American music, and jazz, collaborating with the orchestra artistically directed by Pedro Guedes.
On October 30, at 9:30 PM, Mário Barreiros will exclusively present his new album, “Na Pele da Terra”, accompanied by Ricardo Toscano, Leonardo Pinto, and Carlos Barretto. The performance, which blends jazz, electronics, and real-time image projection, explores the connection between music, nature, and the human condition.
On October 31, also at 9:30 PM, the concert “Legacy: Miles & Coltrane” will mark the centenary of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Under the musical direction of Mário Barreiros, the project features international musicians including Demian Cabaud, Ralph Alessi, John O’Gallagher, José Pedro Coelho, Xan Campos, and Gerald Cleaver, offering a contemporary dialogue with the legacy of these two jazz icons.
The festival nights will also feature performances by the Romeu Tristão Trio at the café-concert, with Hugo Lobo and João Pereira, followed by after-hours sessions for a more intimate musical experience. The trio, led by double bassist Romeu Tristão, will present their original repertoire, recorded live at Távola Jazz Club.
The program also includes masterclasses and film screenings, reinforcing the festival's educational dimension. Amarante Jazz is supported by the Fundação Manuel António da Mota and institutional partners such as the Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte and Turismo do Porto e Norte de Portugal. Tickets are available at the Amarante Cine-Teatro box office and online.
