When the movement of Jazz in America was experiencing the transformation from the unknown to the mainstream, it appeared in Catalonia as well. The gateway for that was Barcelona, which in the 1920s was a haven of romantic cultural development and artistic exploration.
How did jazz and Barcelona meet?
From the 1920s to the 1960s, major American Jazz artists regularly visited Barcelona, spreading their musical influence and helping to develop the Catalans' passion for Big Band, Swing, and Experimental music. Over time, traditional musicians from Barcelona became influenced by the melodies from across the Atlantic and started to develop their music in a similar style.
Tete Montoliu is the undisputed father of the Catalan Jazz movement. Born blind in Barcelona in 1933, Montoliu studied music in the city and followed his passion for Jazz, despite the genre being labeled as a negative foreign influence on a unified Spain by Franco’s fascist regime. The musical exchange between Montoliu and visiting American Jazz musicians through the 1940s and 1950s helped develop his already unique piano style and eventually paved the way for the internationally-renowned Catalan Jazz musicians of today.
It was in 1929 that the first Jazz-oriented club nights became major events in Barcelona, thanks to international visitors to the city’s Universal Exposition on the rocky mountain of Montjuïc.
Cool Jazz
Cool jazz is a style of modern jazz music that arose following the Second World War. It is characterized by its relaxed tempos and a lighter tone, in contrast to the bebop style.
Broadly, "cool" refers to a number of post-war jazz styles employing a more subdued approach than that found in other contemporaneous jazz idioms. The term "cool" started being applied to this music around 1953 when Capitol Records released the album Classics in Jazz: Cool and Quiet.
Hot Jazz
Hot Jazz or Early jazz which is sometimes referred to as Dixieland music or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s. Well-known jazz standard songs from the Dixieland era, such as "Basin Street Blues" and "When the Saints Go Marching In", are well-known songs even to non-jazz fans. With its beginnings in riverboat jazz, Dixieland progressed to Chicago-style jazz or Hot Jazz as developed by Louis Armstrong and others.
Jazz Apartments in Barcelona
Jazz Apartments follow a concept of accommodation in Barcelona inspired by the Jazz genre. They are located in two buildings, both of which can be found in prime locations of the city, near the famous church Sagrada Familia. These apartments are jewels for those looking for affordable, yet modern and stylish vacation homes.
Cool Jazz ones
These home away from home ones are designed to provide people with comfort and style in a soft, thoughtful and quiet musical style – Cool Jazz. Following this concept, the apartment has been designed to provide an atmosphere of tranquility.
Hot Jazz ones
Hot Jazz Apartments follow the same genre but are designed to focus on Hot Jazz. Because of the warm colors and design details, Hot Jazz apartments have a more warm, cozy feel to them, and are as well a relaxing option.
Jazz Clubs in Barcelona
With two performances per day, 365 times a year for half a century few jazz clubs, and generally few live music venues can boast a history and repertoire of artists like that of Jamboree. It is an institution that is part of the cultural heritage of Barcelona and offers a musical dynamism which has made it into one of the most popular venues on Plaça Reial. It has been visited by global jazz legends of all times from all five continents as well as supporting lesser-known local musicians.
Plaça Reial, 17, 08002 Barcelona
Whilst Harlem Jazz Club isn´t the oldest jazz club in Barcelona within its walls is one of the liveliest jazz clubs in Barcelona which offers concerts each day in a range of different genres. If you are a jazz fan make sure to come and check out this suave hidden gem within the Gothic Quarter.
Carrer de Comtessa de Sobradiel, 8, 08002 Barcelona
Care to visit the city of jazz, or in other words – Barcelona? No need to search for accommodation. True jazz fans (and anyone else looking for stylish and comfortable accommodation) will appreciate JAZZ BCN APARTMENTS in the heart of the city!
