Estoril Jazz has been celebrated for nearly 30 years and is one of the great Portuguese festivals dedicated to the rich creative melodies of jazz. With a varied calendar, the event is inspired in US jazz, with this year’s edition dedicated to the human voice as an expressive element.

Always eclectic and of high standard, the festival’s calendar features young talents who have been showing their skills on the international jazz scene  alongside world famous jazz veterans. Thus on July 2  the Canadian Renee Rosnes her quartet open the Estoril Jazz Festival. They are followed on July 3 by a double concert, the quintet of brilliant trumpet player Wallace Roney, a true heir of the unique sounds of Miles Davis; and the quintet of saxophonist Grace Kelly.

To close the festival’s first weekend, on July 4, Charles Lloyd, a master of the modern saxophone and successor of John Coltrane, brings to the festival’s stage all his spirituality and expressive force.

On July 9, the strong and warm voice of US jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater opens the second weekend of the Estoril Jazz, performing a tribute to Billie Holiday. The following evening will be an opportunity to meet three historic musicians of modern jazz, with the show Trio 3, featuring Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman and Andrew Cyrille. The festival’s last night , on July 11, features the quartet led by the young singer and double bass player Esperanza Spalding.  This US singer of latin origin combines feminine beauty with the brilliance and vocal and instrumental jazz.

July 2 to 4  & July 9 to 11, concerts at 10pm, July 4 at 7pm, Du Art Lounge, Casino Estoril, Praça José Teodoro dos Santos. Tickets 30 euros.  Further information at www.projazz.pt.