A very cheeky puppy closes a grand jazz feast in Vitoria

American jazz collective Snarky Puppy concluded the Vitoria Jazz Festival in northern Spain with a virtuosic performance that spanned various genres. Led by Michael League, the band delivered a concert rich in progressive rock, psychedelia, and gospel influences, deviating slightly from their usual funk-heavy sound.

The ensemble's performance highlighted the talents of keyboardists Bill Laurence and Bobby Sparks, alongside brass players Mike Maher, Jay Jennings, and Bob Reynolds, who expanded their sound akin to a big band. The band performed their entire album 'Somni', released in late 2025, which explores the world of dreams with an orchestral and harmony-focused approach, minimizing individual solos.

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It is an honor and a privilege to share the stage with legends and heroes like 'The bad plus'.

However, the concert also provided moments for personal expression, with drummer Jamison Ross, violinist Zach Brock, and guitarist Bob Lanzetti shining. The band concluded their set with an encore of 'Sleeper', leaving the audience captivated.

The festival also marked a significant moment for The Bad Plus, who performed their final concert in Spain as part of their farewell tour. After 27 years, the quartet presented music primarily composed by bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King, incorporating elements of rock and effects from guitarist Ben Monder, with saxophonist and clarinetist Chris Speed improvising freely.

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It has been a great adventure.