Jazz Festival Buenos Aires Lineup

The Buenos Aires Jazz Festival has become a cornerstone of the city's cultural calendar since its modern inception in the early 2000s, growing to attract over 70,000 attendees in past editions. Organized by the city government, the event utilizes more than 10 venues, from grand halls to intimate clubs, and has previously hosted jazz legends like Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter. The partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) brings a significant educational component, a core part of JALC's mission. Led by Wynton Marsalis, the New York-based organization runs extensive global outreach, including masterclasses and workshops, which often accompany its international tours. This year's lineup features multiple artists with deep ties to New Orleans and the Caribbean. Trumpeter Etienne Charles, a Trinidad native, is known for exploring the Creole roots of jazz, while drummer Herlin Riley, a longtime member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, is a legend from a renowned New Orleans musical family. The roster also showcases decorated young leaders in the jazz scene. Chilean saxophonist Melissa Aldana was the first female instrumentalist to win the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Pianist Christian Sands, a five-time Grammy nominee, was mentored by the late jazz giant Dr. Billy Taylor. Vocalist Shenel Johns, praised in The Boston Globe as "history in the making," honed her skills under the mentorship of jazz legends like Rene McLean and Jimmy Greene. She has since performed globally with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and won the Riga Jazz Stage Vocal Competition in Latvia. Rising star alto saxophonist Sarah Hanahan, a graduate of The Juilliard School, has already performed with luminaries such as Dee Dee Bridgewater and Nicholas Payton. Her debut album received a 5-star review in DownBeat magazine, which also named her the #1 Rising Star Alto Saxophonist in its 2025 critics poll.