Creative Grand Ensemble

Led by saxophonist, flautist, arranger, and composer Patxi Pascual, Creativa Grand Ensemble is a group of twenty musicians, all students of the Official Degree in Performance of Contemporary Music and Jazz at Música Creativa. The ensemble, which goes beyond classical music to incorporate wind instruments, woodwinds, guitars, choirs, and keyboards, presents a repertoire focused on contemporary compositions, featuring pieces by Snarky Puppy, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Maria Schneider, Gordon Goodwin, and Bob Mintzer. This catalog is complemented by original compositions, adding to the traditional offerings of big band music in Spain.

Creativa Grand Ensemble has played in some of the most emblematic places on the music scene, such as the Jazzmadrid international festival (Teatro Centro Cultural de la Villa Fernán Gómez, CentroCentro), Café Berlín or Teatro Lara, collaborating with artists such as Angy Fernández, Roco, Nerea Rodríguez or Dora.

The Molinillo Big Band

The Molinillo Big Band emerged in 2010 at the El Molino de Santa Isabel music school, driven by the need to continue a tradition that had begun with the El Molino Big Band, the band founded by New York saxophonist Bob Sands with professional musicians from the Madrid jazz scene. It was the brainchild of two of El Molino's teachers, direct students of Sands: Carmen Vela and Guillem Ferrer. Over the years, their work has focused on exploring the various styles typically performed in this type of ensemble, as well as their articulations and subdivisions, fostering a strong connection between woodwinds and brass.

La Molinillo Big Band has performed in venues such as Café Berlín, Nave de Terneras de Matadero, Nave 73, La Quinta del Sordo, El Rompeolas, Mercado de San Fernando or HUB Madrid, always opting for a personal timbre.

UAX Big Band

The Alfonso X El Sabio University Big Band is one of the most promising ensembles in the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts. Its repertoire is incredibly diverse, encompassing swing, funk, hard bob, soul, samba, and bossa nova—all sounds characteristic of the great Big Bands, such as those of Glenn Miller and Count Basie. This group, led by the renowned saxophonist Daniel Juárez, has performed on prestigious stages such as Clamores, Bogui Jazz, and the Madrid Jazz Festival.

AfterJazz

Also new this year is AfterJazz, an opportunity for Jazz Círculo attendees to extend their evening and continue enjoying great music. The Ballroom will host DJ sets after the concerts. Admission is free for Jazz Círculo attendees.

Sponsor: AMBER • Collaborate: Yamaha