MED JAZZ

Curated by: Mákina de Cena / MdC Records

For 2026, following the previous editions of the MED JAZZ Stage (2022/23/25), Mákina de Cena presents a wide-ranging program, featuring everything from new projects to established artists on the national scene, as well as international artists. 

With this new album, saxophonist Javier Ortí opens a window into his most intimate creative universe. Revelación features eight original compositions, including three contrafacts, where medium and slow tempos predominate, creating an expressive atmosphere that dares to take risks while exploring a more colorful and profound emotional palette.

At the heart of the project is a classic jazz quartet, this time with a particular focus on the dialogue between saxophone and guitar.

Revelación is both an evolution and a synthesis: an album that seeks to move listeners with authenticity and that consolidates Ortí’s identity as a composer and bandleader, with a marked melodic sensibility and contemporary aesthetic.

Francisco Neves performs in a quintet with Luís Cunha, Desidério Lázaro, João Custódio, and João Ribeiro to interpret the timeless music of Oscar Pettiford, arguably the most important double bassist of the bebop generation (1940s and 1950s) in terms of creating a new language for the double bass. This project aims to perform the entire 1954 album ‘Oscar Pettiford Modern Quintet’, adapted for a slightly different instrumentation that features trumpet and guitar instead of French horn and piano. As a complement, it also performs a selection of three additional compositions recorded by the double bassist. The themes and arrangements, meticulously transcribed from Pettiford’s recordings, also serve as a vehicle for improvisation by the quintet members.

Francisco Neves - guitar
Luís Cunha - trumpet
Desidério Lázaro - saxophone
João Custódio - double bass
João Ribeiro – drums

“Art has been, is, and always will be both a weapon and a refuge. In the dark times we inhabit, it is urgent to resist—to reclaim the purity of simply being ourselves and art, face to face, without noise or disguise.” (Miguel Ângelo) DISTOPIA is the new album by the trio led by bassist and composer Miguel Ângelo, released under the newly created +RECORDS label. Following the acclaimed UTOPIA, released in 2019, the trio—now featuring Luís Ribeiro on guitar and Mário Costa on drums—returns with a surprising and captivating work, which was nominated for the Play Awards 2026 in the Best Jazz Album category. DISTOPIA was named one of the best Portuguese albums of 2025 by Jazz.pt magazine.

DISTOPIA foi considerado um dos melhores discos Portugueses de 2025 pela revista Jazz.pt.

www.miguelangeloctb.com