Jazz and wine invade Vilafranca del Penedès this weekend

Vilafranca del Penedès (ACN).- ‘Caixa Penedès Vijazz’ is the perfect combination for jazz and wine lovers. This event is both a jazz festival and a wine tasting fair, offering top international performances with some of Catalonia’s best wines. The ‘Caixa Penedès Vijazz’ kicked off this Friday at Vilafranca del Penedès, the capital of the Penèdes wine region, one of the most recognised in Europe, located less than 50 km from Barcelona city. The festival started on Friday evening with a free concert offered by Al Jarreau, one of the vocal styles most acclaimed by critics, winner of seven Grammy awards and tens of other international prizes. The jazz festival, which will run until Sunday, is becoming increasingly recognised at European level. Some 17,000 attendees will be enjoying the free concert with a glass of wine in their hands.

45 wine makers are present at the festival, sponsored by the savings bank Caixa Penedès and other companies and associations from the Penedès County. They come from the local cellars and they offer around 300 different red, white, rosé and cava wines. They display their stands throughout Vilafranca’s main promenade, during the afternoon, evening and night. Guided tours to cellars are also scheduled. Furthermore, aperitifs with jazz music in the background have been organised.

The music side combines an attractive programme for both jazz lovers and those who are starting to discover this music style. The main international musicians who will play at this year’s festival are: Al Jarreau, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dianne Reeves, Ninety Miles (Stefon Harris, Nicholas Payton, David Sánchez), Keb 'Mo' and PRISM (Dave Holland, Kevin Eubanks, Craig Taborn, Eric Harland). They will play on a stage set up in Vilafranca’s historic centre.