On 30 April, the world celebrates International Jazz Day. And, in Barcelona, the celebration is moved forward two days, from Sunday, 28 April. It’s a big party with a spectacular concert that brings six great artists and musical groups to a fantastic event in Passeig de Gràcia.

The celebration has been organised by the Fundació Barcelona Promoció and promoted by the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona. With the support of the Ministry of Culture, it forms part of the programme of activities to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Passeig de Gràcia, a commemoration that has been declared an Event of Exceptional Public Interest.

In this context, a large stage has been prepared on which you will see performances by the Sant Andreu Dixie Band, the Liceu BLAM Collective, the Mestres del Jazz – Raval 1979, Chicuelo, Andrea Motis & Barcelona Gospel Messengers and Antonio Sánchez with the Bad Hombre project. You’ll find them in a space located at the crossroads between Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer de Casp, where, between 12.30 pm and 10 pm, you’ll see non-stop performances.

It all starts with the Sant Andreu Dixie Band, yes, the well-known Sant Andreu band led by Joan Chamorro. You will hear them reinterpret jazz, from what was done in the early days in New Orleans to swing. Later, Liceu BLAM Collective from the Conservatori del Liceu  takes the lead. It’s creation by Michael League, the founder and leader of the well-known band Snarky Puppy. With him and his musicians we will be able to feel a funky repertoire and also dance to it, of course. Directed by professors Pedro Campos and Alex Dee. And if you want to pay tribute to the creators of the Taller de Músics, come and see the show by Mestres del Jazz – Raval 1979, a septet of great stars.

In the afternoon, the guitarist from Cornellà, Juan Gómez, Chicuelo, will bring flamenco in the key of jazz to the street with the show Caminos. He will be accompanied by Manel Fortià on double bass, drummer David Gómez and Mexican dancer Karen Lugo.

But I’m sure you already know and can’t wait to hear… trumpeter and vocalist Andrea Motis (photo: Carlos Pericàs), one of the great stars of Barcelona’s jazz scene, who offers a show in which she combines her talent with that of the Barcelona Gospel Messengers, with whom she will play songs by Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, among others. Finally, a Mexican drummer who has collaborated with, among many others, Michael Brecker and Pat Metheny. He is Antonio Sánchez, who presents the Bad Hombre project, a multinational quartet formed by himself with Thana Alexa (USA-Croatia, vocals), BIGYUKI (Japan, keyboards) and Lex Sadler (Austria, electric bass).

All to celebrate a day established in 2011 by the General Conference of Unesco to disseminate and celebrate “the power of jazz and its role in promoting peace, dialogue between cultures, diversity and respect for human dignity”.

If you want to celebrate International Jazz Day, come to Passeig de Gràcia, but first check out all the information on the Fundació Barcelona Promoció website.