The Angrajazz – 26th Angra do Heroísmo International Jazz Festival returns on October 2, 3, and 4, featuring names like Artemis, which was distinguished by the Jazz Journalists Association of the United States as the group of the year in 2024.
Renee Rosnes, Allison Miller, Noriko Ueda, Ingrid Jensen, and Nicole Glover, recognized as some of the most talented musicians in contemporary jazz, take to the stage of the Angra do Heroísmo Cultural and Congress Centre on the last day of the festival.
“Each member of the band is a brilliant musician, composer and leader, and the group’s repertoire reflects their sound and concept. From original songs to mind-blowing arrangements of eclectic material, Artemis performs with power, passion and high intensity,” summarizes the Angrajazz Cultural Association.

Yesterday, José Ribeiro Pinto, from the association, told DI that this edition maintains the “high and constant level of quality” of the previous ones.
On the first day, the Angrajazz Orchestra presents “the result of another year of training” and recalls Frank Sinatra’s performance 80 years ago at the Lajes Base. The guest musician for that moment will be Portuguese drummer and singer João Ribeiro.
This will be followed by a concert by the quintet of Italian saxophonist Stefano Di Battista, with the project “La DolceVita”.

On the third day, the evening begins with a concert by Samuel Lercher’s trio and closes with the young American singer EkepNkwelle.

“EkepNkwelle, born and raised in Washington, D.C., is a rising star, a force on the current jazz scene,” say the organizers.

On the fourth, the quartet of American saxophonist David Murray, whom Ribeiro Pinto describes as a “jazz historian”, takes to the stage. The festival ends with the group Artemis.

The poster for this year’s edition was presented yesterday at a press conference held at Angra do Heroísmo Town Hall, which supports the festival.

“Several world-renowned artists have played at the Angra do Heroísmo Cultural and Congress Center, making Angrajazz a festival of unparalleled quality, which is already a landmark in the musical panorama of Portugal, the Azores and Terceira Island in particular,” said the vice-president of the municipality, Guido Teles.

In addition to the concerts at the Angra Cultural and Congress Center, “Jazz na Rua” will once again take place, in partnership with the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs.

Between September 26 and October 4, daily free concerts will be held by two local groups and a mixed group (featuring local and mainland musicians) in various parts of Angra do Heroísmo.

As part of “Jazz na Rua”, there are also two publicity sessions for secondary school students and a training session for musicians and music students living on the island.

Tickets for Angrajazz go on sale from July 1st

In Diário Insular, José Lourenço-director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publications at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks the Luso-American Education Foundation for their support.