SeixalJazz International Festival 2025 – Portugal

Background & History

SeixalJazz International Festival, established in 1999, is one of Portugal’s most prestigious jazz events, organized by the Seixal Municipality. Celebrating its 26th edition from October 9–18, 2025, the festival showcases a blend of emerging and renowned artists, from local talents like Carlos Bica to global stars like Fred Hersch. Held in Seixal, a vibrant municipality on the Tagus River’s south bank, SeixalJazz has grown into a cultural landmark, attracting jazz enthusiasts with its diverse programming and free-entry club shows, cementing its status as a key player in Portugal’s jazz scene.

Festival Highlights

• Six main concerts at the Auditório Municipal, featuring ARTEMIS, Fred Hersch, and James Brandon Lewis Quartet.
• Six free performances at SeixalJazz Clube, showcasing emerging Portuguese artists like Maria Carvalho Trio and Hugo Lobo Trio.
• Diverse musical styles, from free jazz and spirituals to Arabic-infused and electronic jazz.
• Venues set against Seixal Bay’s scenic backdrop, a National Ecological Reserve with rich biodiversity.
• Community engagement through free shows and accessible ticket pricing fosters inclusivity.

Program Details

The 2025 lineup, available on cm-seixal.pt, includes:

• October 9:
  • 10:00 PM: ARTEMIS (Renee Rosnes – piano, Ingrid Jensen – trumpet, Nicole Glover – tenor saxophone, Noriko Ueda – double bass, Allison Miller – drums), Auditório Municipal
  • 11:00 PM & Midnight: Paira (João Pedro Dias – trumpet, Gil Silva – tenor saxophone, Pedro Molina – double bass, Gonçalo Ribeiro – drums), SeixalJazz Clube
• October 10:
  • 10:00 PM: Fred Hersch (solo piano), Auditório Municipal
  • 11:00 PM & Midnight: Godua (Hugo Ferreira – guitar, Duarte Ventura – vibraphone, João Fragoso – double bass, João Cardita – drums), SeixalJazz Clube
• October 11:
  • 10:00 PM: Carlos Bica Quartet (Carlos Bica – double bass, José Soares – alto saxophone, Eduardo Cardinho – vibraphone, Gonçalo Neto – guitar), Auditório Municipal
  • 11:00 PM & Midnight: Maria Carvalho Trio (Maria Carvalho – drums, Bruno Ponte – guitar, Vasco Trindade – double bass), SeixalJazz Clube
• October 16:
  • 10:00 PM: James Brandon Lewis Quartet (James Brandon Lewis – tenor saxophone, Aruán Ortiz – piano, Brad Jones – bass, Chad Taylor – drums), Auditório Municipal
  • 11:00 PM & Midnight: António Carvalho Quintet (António Carvalho – drums, Gonçalo Marques – trumpet, Bernardo Tinoco – saxophone, João Carneiro – guitar, Francisco Brito – double bass), SeixalJazz Clube
• October 17:
  • 10:00 PM: Yazz Ahmed (Yazz Ahmed – trumpet, Ralph Wyld – vibraphone, David Manington – double bass, Martin France – drums), Auditório Municipal
  • 11:00 PM & Midnight: Hugo Lobo Trio (Hugo Lobo – piano, Thiago Alves – double bass, Gabriel Moraes – drums), SeixalJazz Clube
• October 18:
  • 10:00 PM: Tyn Wybenga Brainteaser Ensemble (Tyn Wybenga – composition/electronics, Mariana Dionísio – voice, Susana Santos Silva – trumpet, José Soares – alto saxophone, Fábio Almeida – tenor saxophone, João Clemente – guitar, Pedro Meireles – violin, José Carlos Barbosa – double bass, Pedro Melo Alves – drums), Auditório Municipal
  • 11:00 PM & Midnight: Marta Rodrigues Quintet (Marta Rodrigues – voice, Duarte Ventura – vibraphone, Miguel Meirinhos – piano, Gonçalo Naia – double bass, João Sousa – drums), SeixalJazz Clube Full schedule and artist bios on cm-seixal.pt by September 2025.

Date & Duration

• Dates: October 9–18, 2025 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays)
• Duration: 10 days
• Programme announcement: Expected September 2025 on cm-seixal.pt
• Ticket sales: Available via bol.pt, fnac.pt, or on-site at Fórum Cultural do Seixal

Venues

• Auditório Municipal do Fórum Cultural do Seixal: Main venue for paid concerts, hosting six headline performances.
• SeixalJazz Clube (Sociedade Filarmónica Democrática Timbre Seixalense): Free-entry shows with two nightly sessions (11:00 PM and midnight).

Main Location Addresses

• Auditório Municipal do Fórum Cultural do Seixal: Alameda dos Bombeiros Voluntários, 45, 2844-001 Seixal, Portugal
• SeixalJazz Clube (Sociedade Filarmónica Democrática Timbre Seixalense): Rua Gil Vicente, 29, 2840-720 Seixal, Portugal

Contact Information

• General: camara.geral@cm-seixal.pt, +351 212 276 700
• Culture Department: dc@cm-seixal.pt, +351 212 275 612
• Website: cm-seixal.pt
• Social media: Facebook (facebook.com/municipioseixal), Instagram (instagram.com/municipioseixal), Linktree (linktr.ee/seixaljazz)
• Ticket sales: bol.pt, fnac.pt, or Fórum Cultural do Seixal box office

Ticket Information

• Individual concert tickets: $13.44 (regular), $10.08 (discounted for under 25s, Seixal residents, retirees, municipal staff)
• Full festival pass: $67.20 (access to all six main concerts)
• Free events: All SeixalJazz Clube performances (11:00 PM & midnight, Oct 9–11, 16–18)
• Purchase via: bol.pt, fnac.pt, or on-site at Fórum Cultural do Seixal (open weekdays 9:00 AM–4:30 PM)
• Notes: Festival pass requires presentation at each concert. Ages 6+, no refunds except for cancellations or performer changes. Check cm-seixal.pt for updates.

Cultural Experience

SeixalJazz transforms Seixal’s riverside into a jazz haven, set against the biodiverse Seixal Bay, a National Ecological Reserve. Performances by ARTEMIS and Yazz Ahmed blend global influences, from Arabic melodies to Black spirituals, while local talents like Marta Rodrigues Quintet shine at the free SeixalJazz Clube. Attendees can enjoy local cuisine, such as bacalhau à bras, at nearby restaurants along the Tagus River. The festival’s mix of paid and free events fosters a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere, celebrating Seixal’s maritime heritage.

Accessibility

• Auditório Municipal offers wheelchair-accessible parking, ramps, and toilets.
• SeixalJazz Clube has limited accessibility due to its historic venue; contact dc@cm-seixal.pt for assistance.
• Ages 6+ for all events; auditory protection recommended for loud performances.
• Portuguese subtitles available for select artist talks.

Getting There

• Auditório Municipal do Fórum Cultural do Seixal:
  • Train: Fertagus from Lisbon (Roma-Areeiro) to Seixal station, 10-minute walk
  • Ferry: 20-minute ride from Lisbon (Terreiro do Paço) to Seixal, 5-minute walk
  • Bus: TST lines 101, 107 to Seixal Centro
• SeixalJazz Clube:
  • 5-minute walk from Auditório Municipal
• Airport: Lisbon Portela (20 km), taxi or ferry via Terreiro do Paço
• Check transtejo.pt or tst.pt for schedules.

Sustainability Initiatives

SeixalJazz promotes eco-conscious practices with digital ticketing, recycling stations, and free public transport for ticket holders via TST buses. The festival aligns with Seixal’s commitment to preserving its ecological reserve, encouraging sustainable travel to venues.

Accommodation Options

Near Seixal:

• Mid-range: Novotel Lisboa (Lisbon, 15 km), from $100/night
• Budget: Hotel Ibis Lisboa Alfragide (10 km), from $60/night
• Luxury: Pestana Palace Lisboa (15 km), from $250/night
• Local: Residencial Lareira do Seixal (Rua 1º de Maio, 2840-122 Seixal), from $50/night Book via booking.com or visitseixal.pt.

Code of Conduct

The festival enforces a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, or disruptive behavior. Smoking, eating, and recording are prohibited in venues. Attendees must respect staff and Seixal’s community. Violations result in removal. Report issues to dc@cm-seixal.pt.

Artist Submissions

Musicians can submit proposals by emailing dc@cm-seixal.pt by June 2025. Include performance details and recordings. Programming occurs early each year.