Rubén Blades' Salsa Dominates Vitoria Jazz Festival

Salsa icon Rubén Blades electrified a sold-out audience at the Vitoria Jazz Festival in northern Spain on Friday, delivering a masterful performance that lasted over two and a half hours. The 3,200-seat Mendizorroza venue was packed as Blades, performing nine years after his last appearance in the city, commanded the stage with his signature energy.

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Plástico

Backed by the Roberto Delgado Big Band, Blades presented a dynamic set of 22 songs that showcased his versatility, seamlessly weaving salsa rhythms with influences from rock and jazz. The concert opened with "Plástico," during which Blades recited the names of various Latin American countries, setting a passionate tone. He followed with "Ojos de perro azul," a track that blended genres and served as a prelude to his activist message for Panama, before performing "País portátil."

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Paula C

The performance was marked by the prominent brass and percussion sections of the band, creating an exquisite sound. Blades engaged the audience throughout, using his new maracas and inviting them to dance during "Paula C." He also incorporated jazzier elements with "Watch what happens" and the instrumental "Do I hear four?" The percussionists, Daniel Jiménez, Raúl Rivera, and José Ramón Guerra, shone during "Todos vuelven," and Blades took a moment to voice his opposition to Donald Trump's policies.

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Do I hear four?

The concert's epilogue featured a memorable tribute to Héctor Lavoe with "El cantante," which had the crowd singing along, followed by "Juan Pachanga." The grand finale was Blades' iconic hit "Pedro Navaja," leaving the audience with an unforgettable experience. The evening began with a captivating performance by Catalan vocalist Magalí Sare and bassist Manel Fortià, whose project "Retornar" included a Catalan version of "Volver (Torná)" and showcased impressive musical fusion and improvisation, including Sare's flute playing and Fortià's innovative use of the double bass.

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El cantante