JAZZ OBERT ASSOCIACIÓ D’AL.LIGÀTORS, is a Non-Profit Association in Menorca Island (Balearic Islands, Spain). In 1998 a group of underground followers and lovers of Jazz Music decided to create an association to promote that kind of music in order to diversify the local musical scene. Our Island is well known not only for its touristic, but also for a high level of cultural events that are related to archaeological heritage, theatre, literature, opera and gastronomy.
Thanks to our supporters, Jazz Obert has up to now organized an International Jazz Festival with more than twenty editions, usually in Spring time. Over these years we have invited, among many others, musicians such as:Al Di Meola, Al Foster, Avishai Cohen, Branford Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, Dave Holland, Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jacky Terrasson, John Scofield, Johnny Griffin, Joe Lovano, Joshua Redman, Kenny Barron, Kyle Eastwood, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Marc Turner, Miroslav Vitous, Paul Motian, Rosario Bonnacorso,Roy Hargrove, Sonny Fortune, Stefano di Batista,Steve Wilson, Terence Blanchard, not to forget outstanding musicians of our country: Pedro Iturralde , Chano Domínguez, Marco Mezquida, Jorge Pardo, Carles Benavent, Xavi Maureta, Gorka Benítez, Perico Sambeat, Pere Arguimbau, Suso González, Llibert Fortuny, Raynald Colom, Ignasi Terraza, etc.
All that has been possible thanks to public funds (Government of Balearic Islands, Menorcan Council, City Hall, Fundació Foment de Turisme de Menorca, etc.) and dozens of private sponsors, but most importantly thanks to the enthusiasm of hundreds of menorcans and visitors who have discovered jazz music “as joy of life for open-minded people”.
The current members at the Association board are:
President: Bernat Casasnovas
Vice-president: Dani Benejam
Secretary: Macià Coll
Treasurer: Xavier Triay
Member: Ignasi Mascaró
Member: Joan Gomila
Member: Quim Torres
Member: Isaac Melis
Member: Sandra Díaz
Member: Cristina Pons
Member: Isa Martín
Member: Gillaume Michel
We must also pay a tribute to our veterans in the association, that is, the people who create the society Jazz Obert back in 1998 and led it to a glorious moment: Pasqual Roman, Isaac Melis, Antoni Serra, Bernat Casasnovas, Ignasi Mascaró, Xavi Arriaran. All of them are still active members and funding supporters of Jazz Obert.