GENERAL

The BAJ 12 maintains its commitment to inviting top-notch international artists who have never performed in the City.Tom Harrell, one of the key composers in modern jazz, brings his quintet this year to open the BAJ.12. The closing concert, on the other hand, will be by the legendary Banda Mantiqueira, which is by now an icon of the Sao Paulo scene. But there’s more. Two eminent pianists such as Alain Jean-Marie and Kirk Lightsey; three stylistically different and equally talented guitarists: Ralph Towner, for a promising top-notch concert with local musician Javier Girotto at the Usina del Arte, avant-gardist Marc Ducret and David Gilmore, a cult figure on the New York scene; just like drummer and composer John Hollenbeck or double bass player Mark Helias. Composer Pierre Bertrand brings his quintet Caja Negra, with its colorful blend of jazz, flamenco and French music; trombonist Ramón Fossati arrives from Barcelona, backed by a stellar rhythm section with David Xirgu and Horacio Fumero; and Chilean jazz is represented by the explosive, original saxophonist Agustín Moya. Like every year, the BAJ presents a group of artists who had never visited Buenos Aires.

The Auditorio El Aleph of the Centro Cultural Recoleta, also known as La Capilla, seems to be specially designed for the unplugged philosophy. With supreme acoustics and an intimate atmosphere, the auditorium has an apse for performances that need no microphones, speakers or wires. This section’s schedule offers unique all-acoustic concerts featuring piano solos, duos, trios and quartets, with nothing whatsoever between the instrument’s own sound and the audience’s ear. Performers include acclaimed figures such as Diego Schissi or the Senanes Trío; the new band of Hernán Jacinto; pianists Gerardo Di Giusto, from Paris, and Holman Alvarez, from Bogotá; virtuoso Alejandro Manzoni; Swizz violinist Sophie Lüssi together with her string quartet, and the guitar duo of Luis D’Agostino and Juan Pablo Juárez.

A section that has become a true hallmark of the BAJ. It is practically an internationally unprecedented, unparalleled experience involving local and guest musicians who come together to share the stage with no safety net other than their own talent, audacity and generosity. These encounters forge new lasting artistic relationships. The audience becomes witness to, and judge of, unique shows. This year, Notorious and Café Vinilo – traditional venues for this section – will host several live collaborative performances between artists of various nationalities, many of whom will get to meet each other only a few moments before stepping on stage.

For twenty-eight consecutive years, the Jazzology series, directed by Carlos Inzillo, has been showcasing musicians devoted to popular music and specially jazz, every Tuesday at the Centro Cultural Gral. San Martín. The concert program curated by Inzillo brings a wide variety of artists to the stage: from traditionalists to avant-garde jazz performers, from young talents to legendary figures from the local and international scene. They have all performed in this highly popular free concert series. The Jazzology stage is a vital element in the cultural life of the City, and its presence at the BAJ is not only an homage to its director and curator, but also a recognition of the great efforts put in by the Centro Cultural.

La Trastienda Club, a BAJ’s traditional venue for the special projects section, will host the album debut concerts of four Argentine artists: the versatile guitarist Patricio Carpossi, the ever-amazing Francisco Lo Vuolo leading his trio from the piano, the up-and-coming New York-based singer Sofía Rei Koutsovitis – who has recently worked with John Zorn – and a great record project for which Rodrigo Domínguez invited none other than Mark Helias. The Manuel de Falla Conservatory Big Band features John Hollenbeck as this year’s guest composer and conductor, while the French-Argentine big band coordinated by trumpeter Richard Nant, one the Festival’s most ambitious projects, will play arrangements by Pierre Bertrand, who is especially coming to conduct it.

When the workday is over, there is no musician who would not want to attend La Trastienda Club for the ritual of the jam session – a real tradition of the genre that combines music, food and socializing. The audience feels the same way and celebrates it. This event is hosted by a first-class master of ceremonies, Gillespi, with whom swing and good vibes are guaranteed. Accompanied by his band, he will welcome local and international guests in the mood for some jamming on the nights of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Al escenario de la Terraza del Centro Cultural Recoleta se suma el moderno Anfiteatro del Parque Centenario, al que le damos la bienvenida. Por primera vez se presenta Javier Malosettien el BAJ, nada menos que para celebrar los diez años de la edición de Villa, uno de sus discos clave, junto con sus partenaires originales. Lo precede Juan Cruz de Urquiza que viene al frente de su noneto para la presentación del disco en tributo a Charly García, resultado de lacomisión que se le asignó en la edición 2011 del Festival. El Ensamble Real Book Argentina; Escalandrum, luego de su exitosa gira por Europa, Puente Celeste;Córdoba Reunión y mucho más: los saxofonistas Gustavo Musso, quien presenta uno de sus discos del año pasado, y Ricardo Cavalli, con su Organ Trío; Gonzalo Bergara dedicado al jazz gitano desde su guitarra; el originalísimo dúo de Jorge Araujo y QuintinoCinalli, y el trío de Jorge “Negro” González son solamente algunos de los nombres.