The festival opens on November 9th with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, founded in 1966 as Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, and directed today by Jim McNeely, while the closing of Guimarães Jazz will also be covered by an orchestra: Kathrine Windfeld’s big band on November 18th with Israeli guitarist Gilad Hekselman and the American saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins.

“The 2023 program for the Guimarães Jazz festival is characterised, as always, by the balance between tradition and innovation and by the stylistic, geographic and generational diversity of the musicians who participate. The execution of these principles, however, do not impede the acknowledgement that this edition will pay a particular attention to the New York jazz scene of today and to experimental expressions,” A Oficina, who organises the event, stated in a press release.

The bassist Buster Williams will present himself with the band Something More, with the presence of Aaron Parks, from the Landline Plus One ensemble, Elliot Sharp, Barry Guy from the septet New Digs, and Michael Formanek being confirmed, among others.


“Guimarães Jazz faces a scene in a deep phase of transition, a transformation that can’t just be defined as technological or aesthetic, but a true change in the core functioning of the system. As such, the lineup of the 32nd edition can be eventually considered more circumspective and intellectually demanding in terms of their proposals, but as has always happened in the history of this festival, the principles of diversity and free choice continue to be privileged,” the director of Guimarães Jazz, Ivo Martins, said in the press release.

All the concerts happen at the Vila Flor Cultural Centre with the exception of the presentation of the project between Porta-Jazz and the festival, which is at the José de Guimarães International Arts Centre on 12 November.

Tickets are already for sale, with a pass for every concert costing 90€.