Canarias Jazz & Más Festival Concludes with Star-Studded Finale

The 35th Canarias Jazz & Más International Festival is wrapping up its final days, cementing its reputation as a key event on the European cultural calendar. This year’s program has moved beyond simple technical displays, focusing instead on blending different musical genres to create a unique experience.

The festival’s grand finale features two world-renowned artists: British musician Jacob Collier and Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan. Collier will perform alongside the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Suzie Collier. This collaboration, created specifically for the festival, bridges the gap between classical music and the harmonic styles of pop and jazz. Meanwhile, Hamasyan is touring his project Manifeste, which blends Armenian folk music with progressive rock and jazz improvisation. After performing at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium and the Tenerife Auditorium, the two artists will swap venues this Wednesday. Tickets for the Tenerife show are already sold out.

The festival also highlights a diverse range of European jazz and Afro-Cuban music. On Thursday, the Hannes Bennich Quartet will perform in Puerto de la Cruz, following an educational session at the Castillo de San Felipe. That same evening, pianist Roberto Fonseca returns to the festival with La Gran Diversión, his modern take on classic Cuban rhythms.

To make the festival more accessible, the Plaza de Santa Ana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will serve as a free venue. It will host a double bill featuring the local quartet La Cofradía and Ivorian bassist Manou Gallo, known for her fusion of funk, Afrobeat, and West African traditions.

Running until next weekend, this final stretch of the festival highlights its commitment to showcasing both legendary performers and emerging talent. The 35th edition concludes by reaffirming its status as a vital hub for creative music in the Canary Islands, successfully balancing major concert halls with open, public spaces.