One of the greatest exponents of jazz—and of music in general—Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés stands out among the attractions of Barcelona’s festival beginning on October 10.

Freshly announced today by the organizers of the 57th Barcelona Jazz Festival—a kind of marathon of the genre running through March 1, 2026—the event will feature tributes to Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.

Founder of the group Irakere and winner of several Grammy Awards, most recently the 2023 Latin Grammy for Best Jazz Album, Valdés, at 83, remains one of the world’s foremost figures in jazz.

The festival’s lineup spans different styles and artists, including Laurie Anderson; Janis Siegel, singer and founding member of Manhattan Transfer; flamenco greats Tomatito and Yerai Cortés; along with a project that brings Amy Winehouse back into the spotlight.

Festival director Tito Ramoneda announced that the program will feature 48 concerts across 10 venues, including the Palau de la Música Catalana, Jamboree, the Conservatori del Liceu, and the Gran Teatre del Liceu.

A highlight of the festival, according to artistic director Joan Anton Cararach, will be the opening concert, The Moment of Truth, a tribute to Fitzgerald performed by the Barcelona Jazz Orchestra, with Tricia Boutté as guest vocalist.

In addition to this unique performance on October 10 at the Palau de la Música Catalana, the aim is to revive the spirit of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington’s legendary January 1966 concert, through a tribute featuring the Sant Andreu Jazz Band in the program Ellingtoniana.

Given the festival’s broad schedule, that performance is set for November 28, along with 14 masterclasses to be offered at the Conservatori del Liceu.

Andrea Motis will also present two premieres: a project dedicated to Amy Winehouse, alongside the Barcelona Gospel Messengers, and the Andrea Motis Guitar Trio.

Naturally, flamenco will have a prominent presence in Spain, with the ¡De Cajón! series featuring celebrated artists such as Miguel Poveda, Israel Fernández and El Relojero, Tomatito, Yerai Cortés, José Mercé, Soleá Morente, Dorantes, Rafael Riqueni, Las Migas, and the special performance Así canta Jerez en Navidad.