Almuñécar loves jazz – International Jazz en la Costa Festival

THE 38th International Jazz en la Costa Festival, set for July 22 to 27 in Almuñécar’s Parque El Majuelo, promises a rich celebration of jazz, culture, and heritage. 

The event will feature global stars like Myles Sanko, James Carter, Chano Domínguez, Javier Colina, Guillermo McGill, Christian McBride, Avishai Cohen, and Grammy-winner Judith Hill. Performances will unfold amid Phoenician ruins and an Arab fortress with views of the Alborán Sea.

Organisers have highlighted the festival’s role as a cultural hallmark, placing Almuñécar on the global jazz map. For the first time, the town hall will fully manage the event, ensuring the best jazz for everyone. The council has highlighted its cultural and economic impact on the Costa Tropical, crediting institutional collaboration, and noted that 70 per cent of tickets are already sold, with many passes gone on day one. 66 per cent of attendees come from outside Granada, and curiously, 45 per cent internationally, most notably from France.

The lineup includes Myles Sanko’s soul-jazz fusion (July 22), James Carter Trio’s tribute to jazz legends (July 23), a Spanish jazz reunion (July 24), Christian McBride’s Ray Brown homage (July 25), Avishai Cohen’s innovative style (July 26), and Judith Hill’s grand finale (July 27). The “Trasnoches de Jazz” cycle will feature intimate Costa Jazz Quartet performances. Tickets are available from entradas.com and cost €25.