Lugo Jazz Festival 2025 – Spain

Background and History

The Festival de Jazz de Lugo, organized by the Asociación de Amigos do Jazz Escobijazz since 1991, is Galicia’s longest-running jazz festival and a key cultural event in Lugo. Held annually in November, it features a blend of Galician, Spanish, and international jazz artists, showcasing both emerging and established talents. The 34th edition in 2024 included 23 concerts and a jam session, highlighting nearly 50% Galician projects alongside acts from the USA, Mexico, Italy, Lebanon, and Korea.

The 2025 festival, expected to be the 35th edition, will continue its tradition of diverse programming and cultural significance, as noted on www.jazzlugo.com and www.europejazz.net. It is supported by the Xunta de Galicia and integrated into the Rede Galega de Música ao Vivo.

Theme and Focus

While the 2025 theme is not yet announced, the 2024 edition focused on a dialogue between Galician and international jazz, with an emphasis on female-led projects and innovative fusions like flamenco-jazz and neosoul. The 2025 festival is expected to maintain this inclusive approach, promoting local talent alongside global names, with performances in intimate and historic venues, as per www.industriasculturais.xunta.gal.

Event Highlights

The 35th Festival de Jazz de Lugo, scheduled for November 1–17, 2025, is expected to feature approximately 23 concerts and a jam session, based on the 2024 program. Key highlights include:

• Círculo das Artes (Escenario Estrella Galicia): Major performances by international and Spanish artists, e.g., Lakecia Benjamin Quartet, Maria Schneider & Clasijazz Big Band (2024 examples).
• Club Clavicémbalo: Intimate concerts with local and emerging artists, often paired for dual-ticket evenings (e.g., Ejazz, Iván Rojas New Quartet).
• Casa do Saber USC: Free concert (e.g., Élia Bastida Trío in 2024), open until capacity is reached.
• Jam Session: A collaborative performance, typically at Club Clavicémbalo, fostering spontaneous jazz creativity (date TBD).
• Galician Talent: Nearly half the program features local artists, e.g., Kiki Cortiñas, Savoy Club Big Band, and Drumless Trío.
• International Acts: Artists from the USA, Mexico, Italy, Lebanon, and Korea, e.g., Jeremy Pelt Quintet, Hugo Fernández Crossing Quartet (2024 examples).
• AIEnRUTa-Jazz: Emerging Spanish artists like Pepe Zaragoza Quinteto and Tana Santana Quinteto.

Dates and Duration

• Dates: November 1–17, 2025 (confirmed by www.bandsintown.com).
• Duration: 17 days.
• Ticket Sales: Advance online tickets from October 25, 2025 (18:00), via www.woutick.es and www.jazzlugo.com.

Main Address

• Primary Venue: Círculo das Artes, Praza Maior, 25, 27001 Lugo, Galicia, Spain (Escenario Estrella Galicia).

All Venues

• Círculo das Artes: Praza Maior, 25, 27001 Lugo (main venue for major concerts, capacity ~500).
• Club Clavicémbalo: Rúa dos Paxaros, 2, 27003 Lugo (intimate jazz club, capacity ~100).
• Casa do Saber USC: Rúa Mazaira, s/n, 27004 Lugo (free concerts, capacity ~200).
• Note: Venues are walkable within Lugo’s historic center (5–10 minutes).

Contact Information

• Administrative Office: Not explicitly listed; contact via email or phone.
• Phone: Not listed; use email for inquiries.
• Email: festival@jazzlugo.com, filarmonicalugo@gmail.com
• Website: www.jazzlugo.com
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/festivaljazzlugo
  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/festivaljazzlugo
• Tourist Info: www.turismo.gal, www.lugo.gal
• Ticket Inquiries: www.woutick.es (Club Clavicémbalo), www.jazzlugo.com (Círculo das Artes).

Ticket Information

• Pricing (1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD, based on 2024 from www.jazzlugo.com):
  • Círculo das Artes (Escenario Estrella Galicia):
    • Lakecia Benjamin Quartet: €20 ($22).
    • Bill Evans & The Vans Band All Stars: €25 ($27.50).
    • Kiki Cortiñas: €20 ($22).
    • Soul Chemistry (Vincent Herring & Erena Terakubo): €20 ($22).
    • Maria Schneider & Clasijazz Big Band: €25 ($27.50).
    • Tana Santana Quinteto: €15 ($16.50).
    • Kenny Washington & Ignasi Terraza Trío: €20 ($22).
    • Savoy Club Big Band: €15 ($16.50).
  • Club Clavicémbalo:
    • Single concerts: €6–€10 ($6.60–$11), e.g., Pablo Sax Cuarteto (€10), Terra Nova Brass Ensemble (€6).
    • Dual-ticket evenings: €15 ($16.50) for two concerts, €12 ($13.20) advance via www.woutick.es (e.g., Pepe Zaragoza Quinteto + Iván Rojas New Quartet).
  • Casa do Saber USC: Free until capacity reached (e.g., Élia Bastida Trío).
  • Discounts:
    • Students/Under 26: TBD (~20–30% off, check website).
    • Seniors (Over 65): TBD (~20% off).
    • Groups (10+): TBD (~€10–€15/$11–$16.50).
  • Purchase Information:
    • Online: www.woutick.es (Club Clavicémbalo, from October 25, 2025, 18:00), www.jazzlugo.com (Círculo das Artes).
    • On-Site: Festival ticket booth (Praza Maior, opposite Círculo das Artes, November 1–17, 12:30–14:00, 19:00–20:30), Club Clavicémbalo box office.
    • Notes: Advance tickets recommended for Círculo das Artes events (e.g., Maria Schneider). Free Casa do Saber concerts require early arrival. 2025 prices may vary; check www.jazzlugo.com in September 2025.

Cultural Experience

The Festival de Jazz de Lugo transforms the Roman-walled city of Lugo into a jazz haven, blending intimate club performances with grand concerts in historic venues. The 2025 edition will showcase Galicia’s vibrant jazz scene alongside international stars, set against Lugo’s UNESCO World Heritage walls. From the soulful sounds of Soul Chemistry to the local flair of Kiki Cortiñas, the festival offers a rich cultural tapestry, complemented by Lugo’s culinary delights like pulpo a la gallega.

Food and Drinks

• Pulpo a la Gallega: Octopus with paprika (~$13.20). Try at Mesón de Alberto (Rúa da Cruz, 4, 27001 Lugo).
• Caldo Gallego: Galician broth (~$8.80). At Restaurante España (Rúa Teatro, 10, 27001 Lugo).
• Empanada Gallega: Savory pastry (~$5.50). At Panadería Ousá (Rúa Nova, 12, 27001 Lugo).
• Ribeiro Wine: Galician white (~$5.50/glass). At A Tasca (Rúa dos Paxaros, 1, 27003 Lugo, near Club Clavicémbalo).
• Tarta de Santiago: Almond cake (~$3.30). At Confitería La Marina (Rúa da Raíña, 17, 27001 Lugo). Visit Rúa Nova or Praza do Campo for dining near venues.

Family and Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: Casa do Saber concerts (free) and select Club Clavicémbalo shows (e.g., Terra Nova Brass Ensemble) suit families. Discounts for under 18 TBD (~50% off).
• Accessibility: Círculo das Artes and Casa do Saber are wheelchair-accessible. Club Clavicémbalo has limited accessibility (steps); contact festival@jazzlugo.com for accommodations. Lugo’s historic center has cobblestones; plan routes via modern streets.

Getting There

• By Air: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ, 90 km, ~$55 taxi or $11 bus to Lugo). A Coruña (LCG, 80 km, $44 taxi or $8.80 bus).
• By Train: Lugo Station (Renfe, Santiago ~2 hr, $16.50; Madrid ~5 hr, $44). 10-minute walk or $5.50 taxi to Círculo das Artes.
• By Bus: ALSA from Santiago (1.5 hr, $11) or Madrid (6 hr, $33) to Lugo Bus Station (5-minute walk to Praza Maior).
• By Car: AP-9 or N-547 to Lugo. Park near Praza Maior (~$1.10–$2.20/day). Note ZTL restrictions.
• Public Transport: Lugo city buses (e.g., Line 1, $1.10) to Praza Maior. Venues are walkable (5–10 minutes).

Program Overview

• November 1–17, 2025 (2024 schedule for reference, 2025 TBD):
  • Friday, November 1:
    • Ejazz (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket, €12/$13.20 advance).
    • Charo Quicler: The Magic Line (23:45, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
  • Saturday, November 2:
    • Federale (USA) (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €12/$13.20, €10/$11 advance).
  • Thursday, November 7:
    • Lakecia Benjamin Quartet (20:30, Círculo das Artes, €20/$22).
    • Pablo Sax Cuarteto: Selene (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €10/$11).
  • Friday, November 8:
    • Bill Evans & The Vans Band All Stars (20:30, Círculo das Artes, €25/$27.50).
    • Pepe Zaragoza Quinteto (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
    • Iván Rojas New Quartet (23:45, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
  • Saturday, November 9:
    • Kiki Cortiñas: Mi Sentir (20:30, Círculo das Artes, €20/$22).
    • Hugo Fernández Crossing Quartet (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
    • Iván Rojas New Quartet (23:45, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
  • Tuesday, November 12:
    • Élia Bastida Trío (20:30, Casa do Saber, free).
    • Terra Nova Brass Ensemble (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €6/$6.60, €5/$5.50 advance).
  • Wednesday, November 13:
    • Soul Chemistry (Vincent Herring & Erena Terakubo) (20:30, Círculo das Artes, €20/$22).
    • Jeremy Pelt Quintet (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50, €12/$13.20 advance).
  • Thursday, November 14:
    • Maria Schneider & Clasijazz Big Band (20:30, Círculo das Artes, €25/$27.50).
    • Drumless Trío (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €10/$11).
  • Friday, November 15:
    • Tana Santana Quinteto (20:30, Círculo das Artes, €15/$16.50).
    • Ju Young & Martín Otero (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
    • Martín Leitón Cuarteto (23:45, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
  • Saturday, November 16:
    • Kenny Washington & Ignasi Terraza Trío (20:30, Círculo das Artes, €20/$22).
    • Inés Carreño (22:30, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
    • Daydream Sessions (23:45, Club Clavicémbalo, €15/$16.50 dual ticket).
  • Sunday, November 17:
    • Savoy Club Big Band (19:30, Círculo das Artes, €15/$16.50).
• Jam Session: TBD, likely at Club Clavicémbalo.
• Note: 2025 program TBD; check www.jazzlugo.com in September 2025.

Notable Features

• Galician Focus: Nearly 50% of acts are Galician, e.g., Kiki Cortiñas, Savoy Club Big Band.
• International Stars: USA, Mexico, Italy, Lebanon, Korea artists, e.g., Bill Evans, Jeremy Pelt.
• Free Concert: Casa do Saber event attracts diverse audiences.
• Jam Session: Collaborative, spontaneous jazz experience.
• Historic Venues: Performances in Lugo’s Roman-walled city enhance ambiance.

Accommodation Tips

• Hotel Méndez Núñez: Praza Maior, 14, 27001 Lugo (~$55–$110/night), near Círculo das Artes.
• Eurostars Via Augusta: Rúa San Marcos, 22, 27001 Lugo (~$66–$132/night), central.
• Hostal Brisas: Rúa Venecia, 2, 27002 Lugo (~$33–$66/night), budget-friendly. Book early for November, as Lugo fills during the festival. Check www.turismo.gal for packages.

Planning Assistance

• Recommendations: Start with the opening weekend (November 1–2) at Club Clavicémbalo for local acts like Ejazz. Attend Círculo das Artes for stars like Lakecia Benjamin (November 7, 2024, reference). Join the free Casa do Saber concert (November 12). Explore the jam session for spontaneity.
• Navigating Tickets: Buy advance tickets from October 25, 2025, at www.woutick.es (Club Clavicémbalo) or www.jazzlugo.com (Círculo das Artes). Book early for Maria Schneider or Bill Evans. The free concert requires early arrival.
• Exploring Lugo: Visit Lugo’s Roman Walls (UNESCO) or Catedral de Santa María (5-minute walk from venues). Enjoy pulpo a la gallega at Mesón de Alberto post-concert.
• Tips: Dress for cool November weather (~10°C/50°F). Arrive early for free concerts. Monitor www.jazzlugo.com for 2025 program updates (expected September).