Upcoming Concerts

Inoidel González - saxophone
Miguel Ángel “Wiwi” - piano
Rodrigo Ballesteros - drums

CUBA PRESENTE
An intimate trio format in which the Cuban musical tradition becomes the starting point for an open, contemporary, and deeply personal artistic vision.

The repertoire features original compositions alongside fresh interpretations of works by great Cuban composers, blending the island’s rich rhythmic and melodic heritage with the language of contemporary jazz. Improvisation, attentive listening, and the dialogue between the three musicians create an elegant, dynamic, and richly nuanced sound, where son, bolero, danzón, and Afro-Cuban traditions coexist with a creative and forward-looking approach.

A project that celebrates its roots without nostalgia, embracing tradition as a living language in constant evolution.

Amy Gaviria - vocals
Harold Rey - piano
Iván Ruíz - bass
Johnny Gómez - drums, percussion

They present a musical journey through the legacy of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan, viewed through the rich rhythmic traditions of Cuban music. The repertoire features interpretations of some of the most iconic songs associated with these legendary jazz vocalists, alongside original compositions by singer Amy Gaviria.

The program explores styles including Afro-Cuban music, danzón, cha-cha-chá, guaguancó, son, bolero, and fusion, creating a dialogue between the language of jazz and the Cuban musical tradition.

Harold Rey, a Cuban pianist, arranger, and music producer based in Spain since the 1990s, has built an extensive career as a performer and musical director. He has collaborated with artists such as Soledad Giménez, Manu Tenorio, Niña Pastori, Ángela Carrasco, Antonio Carmona, Los del Río, Roko, and Carmen París, while also performing at international jazz and Latin music festivals.

JD Allen - saxophone
Javier Callen - double bass
Juanma Barroso - drums

Originally from Detroit, JD Allen has established himself as a leading figure on the international jazz scene. His training and collaborations with artists such as Betty Carter, Ron Carter, and Jack DeJohnette have helped shape a distinctive voice on the tenor saxophone, characterized by a deep, resonant sound and an approach that connects contemporary post-bop with the roots of the blues and the African American spiritual tradition.

For his performances in Spain, the saxophonist regularly relies on the outstanding rhythmic foundation provided by Juanma Barroso and Javier Callen. Their ongoing collaboration has fostered a remarkable musical rapport, allowing the repertoire to unfold naturally through open structures and constant interaction. The result is an intense, refined live performance that offers an excellent showcase of the contemporary jazz trio at its finest.

Jim Kashishian - trombone, vocals
Benjamín Mitte - piano
Antonio Domínguez - double bass
Yevhen Riechkalov - trumpet
Raúl Rodríguez - drums

With each of its five members contributing their own musical ideas, La Canal has developed not only a distinctive approach to jazz but a unique musical style of its own. Their music combines infectious energy, strong musical chemistry, and a joyful spirit that reflects the many facets of jazz.

Drawing on decades of experience, La Canal conveys the essence of jazz with authenticity and confidence, reinforcing its reputation as one of Spain’s longest-established jazz bands. Their performances are marked by remarkable musical maturity, elegance, and a level of craftsmanship that is truly admirable.

Gastón Joya - double bass
Idania Valdés - vocals
Miguel Ángel “Wiwi” - piano
Rodrigo Ballesteros - drums

Gastón Joya Trio feat. Idania Valdés presents a journey through the great standards of Cuban music from the perspective of Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin jazz. The repertoire features boleros, sones, danzones, filin, and other classics of the Cuban songbook, reimagined through original arrangements alongside compositions by Gastón Joya.

Gastón Joya is one of the most prominent Cuban double bassists of his generation and a leading figure in Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin jazz. He has collaborated with artists such as Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Lovano, Sting, and Buena Vista Social Club, performing at major international festivals and concert halls. As a bandleader, composer, and arranger, he has developed a musical vision that brings together the Cuban tradition and the language of contemporary jazz, inspired by the legacy of Israel “Cachao” López while expressing a distinctive artistic voice.

Iñaki Arakistain - saxophones, composition
Israel Sandoval - electric guitar
Bruno Lopes - bass
Valentín Iturat - drums

A versatile instrumentalist, highly sought-after session musician, and jazz artist to the core, Basque saxophonist Iñaki Arakistain has earned a solid reputation on the Spanish jazz scene through his highly distinctive musical projects, always infused with infectious grooves and a strong funk essence.

With five albums released as a bandleader and a long-standing career, Iñaki Arakistain introduced a groundbreaking musical concept in Spain with his album Plan B, an innovative project by a saxophonist at the time. His recordings bring together styles such as his signature modern jazz, Latin funk, African American musical traditions including jazz-funk, and deeply rooted influences such as flamenco jazz.

Elegantly crafted harmonies, fresh and richly textured sounds, and solid rhythms and grooves come together in the unique musical universe of Arakistain.

Glenda Vega - vocals
Adrián Estévez - piano (28th)
Miguel Ángel “Wiwi” - piano (29th)
Reinier Elizarde “El Negrón” - double bass
Inor Sotolongo - percussion

Glenda Vega is a Cuban-British vocalist whose voice captivates with its warm tone and expressive sensitivity.

With The Alma Collective, an acoustic project rooted in Cuban song and boleros with influences from Latin jazz and world music, she invites audiences on a musical journey filled with freshness, sensuality, and intimacy.

Jeff Espinoza - guitar, vocals
Ramón Arroyo - guitar
Ezequiel Navas - drums

Jeff Espinoza and Ramón Arroyo present The Roadrunners, an acoustic project that explores the sounds of Americana, blues, folk, country, and roots rock.

With long-established careers on the live music scene, the two musicians perform a repertoire that blends classics by artists such as Bob Dylan, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash with their own original compositions. The result is an intimate concert where experience, musical chemistry, and a shared passion for roots music take center stage.

Akinsola – drums, vocals
Lachy Torriente – trumpet
Gherardo Catanzaro – piano
Andre Edipo – guitar
Manuel Sanz – bass

Ogun Afrobeat is Spain’s pioneering afrobeat band. Formed in Madrid and led by Nigerian musician Akinsola, the group brings together artists from different countries in a multicultural project that blends the roots of afrobeat with influences from funk, jazz, soul, Gnawa music, electronic music, and even flamenco.

Beyond its musical vision, Ogún Afrobeat is committed to cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration, turning every performance into a celebration of diversity. Their powerful live shows, driven by infectious energy and rhythm, have also featured acclaimed international artists connected to the worlds of afrobeat and global music.

Bobby Martínez – saxophone
Germán Kucich – piano
Darío Guibert – double bass
César de Frías – drums

One of the great names on the Madrid jazz scene. Born in Philadelphia and of Cuban heritage, Bobby Martínez has enjoyed an international career that has led him to share the stage with artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Pat Metheny, Paco de Lucía and Gloria Estefan.

With a solid American musical background and a deep connection to the Cuban tradition, his sound blends jazz, bebop and Latin jazz with a distinctive personal style. An essential figure in the recent history of jazz in Madrid.

John O’Gallagher - sax
Masa Kamaguchi - double bass
Rob Garcia - drums

Saxophonist John O’Gallagher, bassist Masa Kamaguchi, and drummer Rob Garcia have been collaborators in New York’s creative jazz scene since the 1990s. In recent years they solidified their long-standing connection by forming a dedicated trio, touring Spain and Portugal to great success in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Each is a master of their instrument with a singular voice, and together they forge a profound musical chemistry that yields a sound both distinctive and deeply resonant.

Lucía Gregorio – vocals
Juan Ortiz – piano
Francisco López “Loque” – double bass
Juanma Barroso – drums

Lucía Gregorio is a young Spanish singer of Argentine heritage, and a three-time ambassador and scholarship recipient of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

She began her musical studies at the age of eight in Madrid and, after several years of developing her career in Spain, moved to New York. There, she continued her education at The New School, receiving scholarships from both the university and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation, specializing in jazz under the guidance of artists such as Gretchen Parlato, Veronica Swift and Reggie Workman, among other leading figures on the international jazz scene. She currently lives in Boston, where she continues her studies at Berklee College of Music, once again on a full scholarship from both the university and the Latin GRAMMY Foundation.

Throughout her career, she has performed at numerous festivals and clubs across Spain, both with her own jazz quartet and with other ensembles, as well as taking her music to Argentina, Costa Rica and the United States.

With her first two singles, released alongside trumpeter Tony Glausi and pianist Pablo Campos, Lucía has shared the stage and recording studio with renowned musicians such as Pepe Rivero, Michael Olivera, Bobby Sanabria, Hernán Jacinto, Daniel Maza, Caramelo de Cuba, Reinier Elizarde “El Negrón,” Albert Sanz, Russell Hall, Jorge Vera, Antonio Lizana, Emilio Solla, Julito Padrón, Riccie Oriach and her father, Gustavo Gregorio, among many others.

Lucía Gregorio returns to Café Central after a year away from Spain.

José Luis Hernández - vocals
Enrique Rodríguez “Enriquito” - trumpet
José María “Petaca” - piano
Juanfe Pérez - bass
Kike Terrón - percussion

“Siete x Medio” is a five-piece band made up of highly regarded musicians from the flamenco scene. All five have extensive careers and have shared the stage with some of the most important artists in the genre, including Jorge Pardo, Josemi Carmona and Javier Colina, among many others.

The project is rooted in the foundations of flamenco, while driven by a desire to explore other musical worlds, particularly jazz and African-American music.

The broad musical backgrounds of its members come together in a rich blend of rhythms, colours and textures, resulting in a fresh and energetic sound in which improvisation becomes a driving creative force and every performance takes on a unique character.

Carolina Mama - compositions, vocals
Lau Noah - guitar, vocals
Darío Barroso Miranda - guitar
Tramel Levalle Campusano - percussion, vocals

Argentine singer and composer Carolina Mama blends the folk traditions of South America with jazz, improvisation and a cinematic sound language. Her debut album, Amina, explores the strength, vulnerability and resilience of women.

The project was born from a research trip to Morocco and the story of Amina El Filali, a 16-year-old girl who took her own life after being forced to marry her rapist. Amina intertwines this story with Carolina’s own experience as an Argentine artist and her connection to the Ni Una Menos movement.

On stage, Carolina is joined by Catalan guitarist and singer Lau Noah, co-producer of Amina, known for her distinctive approach to songwriting, folk and experimentation; Catalan guitarist Darío Barroso Miranda, whose career spans classical music, folk, jazz and roots music; and Chilean musician, singer and percussionist Tramel Levalle Campusano, who trained in Chile, Puerto Rico and Barcelona and whose musical language brings together jazz, Caribbean music and Afro-Latin American traditions.

Carolina studied at the National University of the Arts in Buenos Aires and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York. She has collaborated and shared the stage with artists such as Arturo O’Farrill, Linda Briceño, Jorge Glem, Samir LanGus and ROSA Vocal Group. Amina was created with Lau Noah and Emily Elbert, featuring Brazilian bassist and multi-instrumentalist Munir Hossn. Photos by Jamie Ellington.

Ángela Cervantes - vocals
Alfonso Pérez - piano
Javier Sánchez - guitar

Ángela Cervantes presents an intimate concert at the Ateneo de Madrid, in collaboration with Café Central, featuring some of the songs that have shaped her career alongside her more personal, authorial work.

The repertoire is shaped by her own creative journey, born from the twists and turns of motherhood, transformation, and the inner changes that accompany this new stage in her life and artistic career.

Together with pianist and producer Alfonso Pérez and guitarist Javier Sánchez, the songs are presented in an intimate, stripped-down and deeply emotional setting.

Paula Padilla - vocals
Helena Amado - vocals
Marcos Padilla - vocals
Matías Comino - guitar
Camilo Bosso - bass
Pablo Cabra - drums

O Sister! is a six-piece group with 15 years of experience and six albums to their name. Rooted in the sounds and rhythms of early New Orleans jazz, the band has developed a rich repertoire of original compositions and a distinctive style of their own. Based in Seville, the sextet combines a deep connection to jazz tradition with a wide range of influences —from Latin American music to pop, blues and lounge— opening their sound to the diverse and global musical landscape of the 2020s.

Their hallmark is a trio of close-harmony female vocals, inspired by the classic vocal groups of the swing era. Since their formation in 2008, O Sister! have explored the musical heritage of the golden age of swing and dixieland, while bringing new arrangements and a contemporary sensibility to these genres. They have also sought to highlight the legacy of pioneering women creators and performers who have often been overlooked, such as The Boswell Sisters.

Their more than 500 concerts across Spain, Europe, the United States and Asia have established O Sister! as a band with a deep belief in the power of live music. Their explosive performances combine musical sophistication and emotion with their characteristic sense of humour, creating an irresistible energy that connects with audiences of all kinds.

Betta Berodia - vocals
Javier Díaz - piano
David Carrasco - saxophone
Pascu Monge - drums

A project led by Madrid-born singer Betta Berodia, with influences from Chicago, where she spent part of her musical journey. Accompanied by a group of exceptional musicians, they deliver a show full of African-American music, combining elegance and expertise thanks to the outstanding quality of the musicians in the band and their exquisite repertoire.

A celebration of Black music, performed with respect and plenty of groove, creating an experience that is sure to be enjoyed by audiences of all kinds.

Raquel Vega - harmonica
Gabriela Lechner - vocals
Federico Lechner - piano, vocals
Gustavo Gregorio - bass
José San Martín - drums

“CUANDO SE ACABEN LAS OLAS”
Songs by Federico Lechner

“Cuando se acaben las olas” (When the Waves Are Gone) is an album that brings together songs composed by Federico Lechner and recorded with great artists and musicians over several years, blending tangos, boleros, ballads and lullabies. For this performance at Café Central, he is joined by the fresh voice of Gabriela Lechner, with special guest Raquel Vega on harmonica.

Arahi Martínez - vocals
Manuel Machado - trumpet
Luis Guerra - piano
Santi Greco - bass
Ramón González - percussion
Moisés Porro - drums

Manuel Machado is one of the leading Latin jazz trumpeters in Spain. His distinguished career includes performing with the legendary band Irakere, led by Chucho Valdés, as well as collaborations with renowned artists such as Celia Cruz, Bebo Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera, Steve Turre, Joaquín Sabina, Joan Manuel Serrat, José Mercé, and Rocío Jurado.

Leading his quintet, he presents a concert where jazz, Cuban music, and improvisation come together in a vibrant and deeply expressive performance.

Special guest vocalist Arahí Martínez brings elegance and emotion to the evening with her outstanding voice.

An unmissable opportunity to experience the excellence of Latin jazz and the magic of live music.

Javier Elorrieta - vocals
Lorenzo Moya - piano
Richie Ferrer - double bass
J. R. Callejas - saxophones
Antonio Calero - drums

“I had dreamed of carrying out this project for a long time: the fusion of French music and jazz. I believe that ever since I studied at the French Lycée in Madrid, I have been drawn to the music of our neighboring country. Understanding the wonderful, poetic, and profound lyrics of Brel, Brassens, Aznavour, Bécaud, and many others made me appreciate this kind of music so deeply that these songs have remained faithful companions throughout my life. Everything began to take shape years later, when I formed a group specializing in French pop songs, performing as guitarist and singer with songs by Dutronc, Nino Ferrer, Johnny Hallyday, etc. Later came a long period devoted to Anglo-American music, especially rock and blues, always forming bands and performing live. My encounter with the world of images as a film director and producer also came through music. First by composing film scores and music for advertising. Later, as a director, I composed many of the main themes for my own films as well as for those of other filmmakers. With the making of these albums, I return to my musical roots. I have devoted all my determination and effort to creating a delicate and romantic work that I hope will not disappoint its listeners. Albums to relax and experience the sweet nostalgia of love.”

Javier Elorrieta

Paloma Antara - vocals
David Sanz - sax
Joseph John McEvilly - piano
Tom Jackson - double bass
Andrés Freites - drums

“Jazz cannot be explained — it must be felt!” In A Tale of New Orleans, the stage is transformed into a living map of the early 1900s. This project is a complete cultural immersion that intertwines live music with the story of a city unlike any other in the world.

We invite you to explore the myths, legends, and sounds that shaped the most influential genre in history. A sonic journey designed for those who seek to understand the origins of the magic behind this extraordinary musical tradition.

Yuvisney Aguilar - composer, director and timbales
Gito Maleta - piano
José Raúl Machado - double bass
Carlos Cano - flute
Ángel Herrera - congas

Special guests:
ATLANTICA Cultural Diplomacy Ambassadors:
Idania Valdés - vocals
Amadito Valdés - timbales
Yelena Lafargue Choir - choral ensemble representing Spain at the World Peace Choral Festival, Vienna 2026

In this new edition, presented within the framework of the Ateneo Chair, “The CUBintage” emerges as an artistic experience of high cultural value, where Cuban music engages in dialogue with memory, interpretative excellence, and contemporary cultural diplomacy.

“The CUBintage” serves as an ambassador project of the golden age of Cuban music from the 1950s and 1960s, paying cultural and musical tribute through a blend of tradition, sophistication, rhythm, and glamour. Inspired by legendary masters such as Bebo Valdés, Israel “Cachao” López, and Pedro Justiz “Peruchín,” the quintet reconstructs with contemporary sensitivity a distinctive style that shaped the history of Latin music.

The evening will feature the exceptional participation of singer Idania Valdés and timbalero Amadito Valdés, internationally recognized artists connected to the historic Buena Vista Social Club, witnesses and bearers of a living musical heritage. Their presence reinforces the unique character of a project that not only performs, but embodies a living memory of Cuba’s musical legacy. Also joining the event is the Yelena Lafargue Choir, a choral ensemble distinguished by its artistic excellence and selected to represent Spain at the 2026 World Peace Choral Festival in Vienna. Their participation adds a symbolic and universal dimension to the gathering, strengthening the spirit of cultural dialogue, peace, and international cooperation.

“The CUBintage” is more than a concert: it is a celebration of Cuban musical heritage and its living projection into the present; a stage production that transcends music to become an act of cultural memory, artistic elegance, and connection through art.