Maria João’s new album and a world premiere take centre stage at Jazz at Monserrate

On the weekend of 12 to 14 September, Sintra will once again come alive with the sound of jazz as the Jazz at Monserrate festival returns. This year’s line-up, bringing together around forty national and international artists, is headlined by Maria João, who celebrates four decades of her career and will present ‘Abundância’, her latest album. Also noteworthy is the world premiere of a new collaborative show by jazz pianist Luís Figueiredo and dancer and choreographer Miguel Ramalho. In a relaxed atmosphere — feet on the grass and surrounded by nature — festivalgoers can enjoy three days of concerts, jam sessions and ‘Jazz for Babies’ — a new feature this year — not to mention the traditional masterclass.

At a time when the world seems increasingly fragmented, Jazz at Monserrate, under the artistic direction of Inês Laginha, asserts itself as a space for connection, listening, improvisation and freedom, showing how jazz engages in dialogue with the world — from classical music to Mozambican and South American traditions, Portuguese music and contemporary dance. The aim is to build “Bridges and Dialogues” — this edition’s theme — between art, heritage and nature; between jazz and other artistic and musical expressions; between peoples, cultures and generations.

The festival opens on Friday 12 September at 7pm with a performance by young drummer and composer Maria Carvalho, who will present ‘Margem’, her latest project, in Monserrate’s inspiring setting. In this unique work, the music of José Mário Branco is reimagined through the lens of contemporary jazz, with original arrangements that place poetry and the spoken word at the heart of musical expression. She will be joined by Sara Afonso (vocals), Bruno Ponte (guitar), Juliana Mendonça (double bass) and Luís Lélis (piano).

Later that evening, at 9pm, the Jazz at Monserrate stage will host the world premiere of a new performance that brings together two of the most acclaimed artists in their fields — jazz pianist Luís Figueiredo and dancer and choreographer Miguel Ramalho — in a shared space of real-time creation. In this new show, sound and movement intertwine in an environment of freedom and risk, where body and piano influence each other in a continuous process of transformation.

On Saturday 13 September at 7pm, Dominic Ingham, one of the most innovative violinists on today’s European jazz scene, will take to the stage. A powerful communicator and performer, he has captivated audiences around the world with his deeply personal music, which blends British folk roots, classical training and contemporary jazz language. This concert, featuring original works from his acclaimed album ‘Role Models’, promises emotion, subtlety and connection. Joining him on stage will be Noah Stoneman (piano), Freddie Jensen (double bass) and Luke McCarthy (drums).

Later that night, at 9pm, the stage will belong to the Orquestra Assintomática, led by bandoneonist Martín Sued, and the Mexican singer, double bassist and composer Fuensanta. Formed in 2020, the Orquestra Assintomática brings together musicians from Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Venezuela and Uruguay in a collective that draws on the traditional tango orchestra to create a distinctive language, crossing cultures, genres and geographies. In this concert, the orchestra’s arrangements intertwine with Fuensanta’s compositions and vocals, creating a dense yet delicate soundscape where memory, invention and attentive listening coexist.

On Sunday 14 September at 7.30pm, Maria João will close this year’s edition of Jazz at Monserrate with a celebratory performance. Marking 40 years of an illustrious career, she will present her new album ‘Abundância’, accompanied by João Farinha on keyboards, Texito Langa on percussion and a three-voice choir. Recorded between Mozambique and Lisbon, the album is a return to her roots. The collaboration with Mozambican musicians and the recording of an extraordinary choir give a distinctive identity to this project, in which Maria João’s unique and captivating voice takes centre stage once again as an incomparable expressive force capable of conveying the deepest emotions.

PROGRAMME INCLUDES JAZZ FOR BABIES FOR THE FIRST TIME

This year, Jazz at Monserrate introduces a new feature: ‘Jazz for Babies’. This performance, designed for the youngest audiences — from 0 to 3 years old — and their families, will take place in the iconic Music Room of the Palace of Monserrate on the mornings of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September, with two sessions scheduled for 10am and 11:30am.

Led by Paulo Lameiro and the musicians who have been delighting babies across the country (and beyond) for decades, this concert treats babies as a fully present audience, offering them an authentic, immersive musical experience where improvisation, rhythm and the freedom of jazz become matter for listening, play and discovery.

NATIONAL CONSERVATORY JAZZ STUDENTS TO LEAD JAM SESSIONS

In the spirit of building bridges — between generations, musical backgrounds and experiences — the Jazz at Monserrate Jam Sessions are a space for students and professional musicians to meet and share.

The sessions, scheduled for 13 and 14 September at 3pm, will be opened by students from the Jazz course at the Escola Artística de Música do Conservatório Nacional, who will invite other musicians and jazz students to join them on stage and share moments of improvisation, listening and interaction.

FREE MASTERCLASS WITH DOMINIC INGHAM

The free masterclass with renowned violinist and composer Dominic Ingham, taking place on 12 September at 3pm, is an opportunity for music students and professionals to discover new creative tools in an atmosphere of sharing, listening and experimentation.

During the session, the artist will share processes for composing, improvising and interpreting original group repertoire. The session will be shaped openly and flexibly, allowing it to follow different directions according to the interests and needs of the participants. One of Dominic’s recurring focuses is the deep connection with the instrument through the voice — an approach that promotes greater musical awareness and expressiveness, and which will certainly be explored throughout the session.

Another key theme will be the use and development of jazz language on non-conventional instruments, reflecting Dominic’s own experience as a violinist in the world of contemporary jazz.

Jazz at Monserrate was born in 2022 from a strong desire to invite audiences to enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful places of contemplation, to be moved by the emotion that only music can bring, and to add to this the relaxed atmosphere and connection with nature to create unique, collective memories.

Combining the beauty of Monserrate with a solid, high-quality programme, the festival stands on three key pillars: showcasing the breadth of jazz, providing training opportunities for young musicians, and creating informal, intergenerational moments of sharing. By fostering these bridges — between genres, artists, generations and audiences — the festival continues to assert itself as a festival with cultural and social responsibility, rooted in its community and open to the world. Artists such as Mário Laginha, Afonso Pais, Carlos Bica, Emma Frank, Alexandre Frazão and Jorge Rossy have already graced its stage.

Day tickets for concerts taking place after Park of Monserrate’s closing time for the general public cost €15 and are already available on the festival’s official website jazzemmonserrate.pt.

Jazz for Babies concerts are free, subject to the purchase of a Park and Palace entrance ticket and prior registration, available from 1 September. The Jam Sessions are also free, but require the purchase of a Park and Palace entrance ticket. The masterclass with Dominic Ingham is free of charge, but prior registration is required as places are limited. Applications should be submitted via the form available on the Parques de Sintra website.

Jazz at Monserrate is promoted by Parques de Sintra, patroned by BPI and the “la Caixa” Foundation, and supported by Sintra Town Council. Smooth FM is the festival’s official radio partner.