Program Fira B! 2023

Double bass player Manel Fortià is in a very prolific moment. His melodic sense, rhythmic precision and creativity have made him one of the most singular and original musicians of the new generation, who in addition to being one of the most sought-after sideman, also leads his own projects. His latest albums as a leader include: Despertar (2022, Microscopio), where he performs his own compositions inspired by New York with his new European trio formed by the Balearic pianist Marco Mezquida and the French drummer Raphael Pannier. "Arrels" (2021, Microscopio), the debut recording of his new free-flamenco-jazz project "Libérica", together with the multi-award winning singer and saxophonist Antonio Lizana. This was included in the top 10 jazz albums of 2021 according to Enderrock magazine. His original folk-jazz duo album "Fang i Nuvols" (2020, Microscopio) with the talented Catalan singer Magalí Sare, was also critically acclaimed. He has performed and recorded with jazz icons such as Dave Liebman, Chris Cheek, Eliot Zigmund, Bill McHenry, Ari Hoenig, Arturo O'Farrill, Chano Dominguez, Stephane Belmondo, Scott Hamilton, Dena Derose and Raynald Colom, among others, at some prestigious international festivals such as Vitoria Jazz Festival (Spain), Antibes Jazz Festival (France), SudTirol Jazz Festival (Italy), NYC Mediterranean Jazz Festival (USA), Jazz in Sardegna (Italy), Breda Jazz Festival (Holland), PortaJazz Festival (Portugal), as well as in famous jazz clubs such as the Blue Note (New York), Jazz Gallery (New York), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Pizza Express (London), An Die Musik (Baltimore), Hot Five (Porto) and Café Central (Madrid). He has also appeared on more than 50 albums as co-leader and sideman, including "Estándares" with Grammy-Awarded pianist Chano Domínguez & Antonio Lizana, "My Old Flame" as a duo with Marco Mezquida and "Buleria Brooklyniana" with the trio Marqués/Fortià/Pannier. Throughout his career, Manel Fortià has been recognized with multiple awards such as the "Jazzer 2020" of the Jazzing Festival of Barcelona. He has also been finalist in "Terra i Cultura" 2019 with Magalí Sare, and three times finalist in the Castellón Jazz Competition (2012-2014). He won the Jazz Fusion Competition (2013) with Tak! In addition, Manel combines a performing career with his teaching work in the Higher Grade at the prestigious ESEM - Taller de Músics in Barcelona and in the Jazz Department of the Girona Conservatory. He has also won the La ruta del Jazz 2022 Award from the magazine Nube Digital and the Enderrock 2023 Award for best jazz album according to the critics. He has also been involved in music and social justice projects in the USA, such as Freedom First (Justice for Keith Lamar), which fights for human rights and equality, led by musician and activist Albert Marquès and which also includes musicians such as Arturo O'Farrill, Salim Washington, Caroline Davis, among others.