19/02/2026
The Festa do Jazz (by Sons da Lusofonia) was featured in Jazzwise, a leading UK-based jazz publication that shares in-depth news, reviews, and critical perspectives on the international jazz landscape.
In the article “Festa Do Jazz: Lisbon’s Celebration of Tradition and Innovation”, Matthieu Jouan reports on the 23rd edition of the festival, held at the Belem Cultural Centre in December 2025, highlighting how the festival succeeds in bringing together contrasting yet complementary approaches to jazz within a single programme.
According to the article, Festa do Jazz distinguishes itself not only through the presence of notable international artists, but also through its sustained commitment to the future of Portuguese jazz.
As reported, the programme moved fluidly across styles, from folk-influenced expressions to avant-garde explorations, reflecting the wide stylistic range of contemporary jazz.
The report further notes that a central element of this edition was the participation of student bands in the Encontro Nacional de Escolas de Jazz designed to significantly raise the national profile of emerging musicians, reinforcing the festival’s dual role as both a celebration of jazz heritage and a platform for new voices.
As Jouan observes in his coverage, the festival was attended by a deeply attentive listening audience and offered an essential spotlight on the Portuguese jazz scene, one that, as the report concludes, deserves far greater recognition across Europe.
Read more about their perspective in the link below:
