November 2 to 19 Cartagena Jazz Festival

Ron Carter, Steve Coleman and Nubya Garcia are among the stars performing at the 42nd Cartagena Jazz Festival

The 42nd Cartagena Jazz Festival takes place between 2^nd and 19^th November 2023 with a star-studded schedule including appearances by Ron Carter, Morgan, Steve Coleman, Patax, the Zoot Suiters and Nubya Garcia among others.

While most of the events are paying concerts there are also free open-air shows during the festival, but without a doubt the most eagerly awaited shows will be those of the stars mentioned above. In fact, living legend Ron Carter was due to play in Cartagena last year but was forced to pull out after a fall.

A symbol of the best classical tradition within jazz and one of the best double bassists of this musical style in history, Ron Carter is also the bass player who has the most recordings in the history of jazz (more than 2,500 or 3,000, depending on the source, although in 2015 the figure stood at 2,221 according to the Guinness Book of Records).

Elegant and inconspicuous, this fantastic musician has an innate elegance that fits perfectly with his instrument. With nearly a seven-decade career, he has played with most of the greats jazz names, Eric Dolphy, Don Ellis, Thelonious Monk, Cannonball Adderley and Sonny Rollins, to name just a few, and was part of the famous quintet of Miles Davis, along with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams.

Ron Carter now claims to be on his farewell tour after a 60-year career which will perhaps be best remembered for his recordings with Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack and The Rascals in the late 1960s or his accompaniment of the rapper Q-Tip.

It is also worth mentioning British jazz saxophonist Nubya Garcia, who opens the festival and has performed with greats such as Sonny Rollin and John Coltrane, while Steve Coleman is another of the most prominent saxophonists on the current scene.

The full line-up for the 2023 Cartagena Jazz Festival is as follows:

Thursday November 2

The Retro Shakers at the Mr Witt bar at 21.30, no admission charge.

Friday November 3

Nubya Garcia at the Nuevo Teatro Circo at 20.30, tickets 20 euros.

Saturday November 4

Zoot Suiters Band in the Plaza del Icue at 12.30, no admission charge.

Morgan at the Nuevo Teatro Circo at 20.00, tickets 25 euros.

Sunday November 5

Por Battle at the Auditorio El Batel at 12.30, tickets 10 euros.

Thursday November 9

Traffic Jam at the Mr Witt bar at 21.30, no admission charge.

Friday November 10

Ron Carter and Foursight at the Nuevo Teatro Circo at 20.30, tickets 25 euros.

Saturday November 11

Steam Brass Band in the Plaza del Icue at 12.30, no admission charge.

Steve Coleman & Reflex at the Nuevo Teatro Circo at 20.00, tickets 20 euros.

Sunday November 12

Nuria Graham at the Auditorio El Batel at 19.00 tickets 10 euros.

Thursday November 16

Minor Trio at the Mr Witt bar at 21.30, no admission charge.

Friday November 17

Josemi Carmona, Javier Colina and Bandolero at the Nuevo Teatro Circo at 20.30, tickets 20 euros.

Saturday November 18

Baboon Blues County in the Plaza del Icue at 12.30, no admission charge.

Patax at the Nuevo Teatro Circo at 20.00, tickets 20 euros.

Sunday November 19

Santero & Los Muchachos at the Auditorio El Batel at 12.30 tickets 10 euros.

Tickets are available online here.

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.