Interested as it is in the academic training of our future jazz musicians, JAZZMADRID is always on the lookout for new talent with which to surprise its audiences. And so, as is the case with the inspiring visits of their counterparts from the Arturo Soria Conservatory and the Escuela de Música Creativa, this group comes from the classrooms of the Centro Integrado de Música Padre Antonio Soler, in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

The Soler Jazz Band was founded in 2017, thanks to the inspired initiative of its current director, Federico Calcagno Collar, who was keen to strengthen the presence of jazz in the centre and to satisfy the demand for a musical style that is all too often ignored in the official teaching environment. To be frank, as the years have gone by, the Soler Jazz Band has shown great potential and a remarkable ability to incorporate a wide range of styles into its repertoire: swing, blues, funk, Latin jazz…

Despite their lack of experience – most of its members are currently between 14 and 17 years of age – it’s easy to see that they are more than willing to work hard to improve their skills and master the repertoire. Although most of the songs they play are in the jazz tradition, they also perform a number of contemporary pieces.

Another thing worth mentioning is the fantastic energy they generate at their concerts, an energy which it goes without saying rubs off on the audience, creating a vibrant and very evocative atmosphere every time they take to the stage. The current line-up features flutes and clarinets, in the style of the jazz bands of the 1930s and 40s.

In its six years of existence, the Soler Jazz Band has more than proved its worth at performances at jazz festivals in the Sierra de Madrid such as Galapajazz, Torrelodones and the Larry Martin Festival in Colmenarejo. They have also arranged exchanges with other similar big bands such as Creativa Junior, Gandía, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Galapagar, Albacete or the Oriol Martorel from Barcelona. One of their most recent appearances was last May, when they went down a storm with the audience at Madrid’s Café Berlin.

This may be the first time that JAZZMADRID has included them in its line-up, but we’re sure it won’t be the last. Looking to the future, I’d say that everyone involved in this jazz band has reason to be optimistic.