El Rincón del Jazz returns with 11 concerts for the 2026–2027 season

As the summer heat gives way to the golden light of autumn, Gran Canaria’s cultural calendar welcomes back one of its most cherished fixtures. El Rincón del Jazz, the long-running club cycle nestled inside the iconic Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, has announced its 23rd season. Running from September 2026 right through to June 2027, the programme promises eleven carefully curated evenings in the cosy Sala Jerónimo Saavedra. It is the kind of place where you feel close enough to the musicians to hear the click of the piano keys, a world away from the big summer festival stages.

The season pass details are already out, and they are remarkably friendly on the wallet. For 110 euros, you get access to every single concert. That works out at exactly ten euros per night, a price that feels almost old-fashioned in an era of rising ticket costs. But you will need to be quick; only 200 of these passes are being released, covering half the room’s capacity. They are on sale until 21 July, or until they are gone, whichever comes first. If you are a regular, or simply someone who loves the idea of a monthly jazz date by the Atlantic, this is your moment.

The opening act: a tribute to Martín Chirino

The season curtain rises on 26 September 2026 with a truly special project. Takeo Takahashi will present "Melodías Forjadas. Jazz para la obra de Martín Chirino", a performance that bridges the worlds of improvised music and the sculptural legacy of the great Canarian artist. It is a fitting start for a cycle that has always prided itself on dialogue between art forms, setting a thoughtful, creative tone for the months ahead.

From there, the autumn unfolds with a rich mix of international flair and local roots. October brings the 25th-anniversary celebration of Marc Miralta’s New York Flamenco Reunion, a project that fuses the raw passion of flamenco with the sophisticated language of New York jazz. It is a sound that feels particularly at home in the Canary Islands, a cultural crossroads between continents.

Star power and Christmas swing

November sees the arrival of a duo with serious cinematic and musical pedigree. Spanish actress and singer Leonor Watling teams up with the multi-talented American musician Leo Sidran. Their collaboration promises an evening of intimate, storytelling songs delivered with understated elegance. Also confirmed for the season, though without a fixed date yet, is five-time Grammy winner Bill Laurance. The British pianist and composer, known for his work with Snarky Puppy and his mesmerising solo projects, is a major draw for jazz purists and newcomers alike. Pianist Lucía Rey is another name on the list, adding further depth to the keyboard-led highlights of the programme.

As the year draws to a close, the cycle has a treat lined up that the organisers are calling the "Christmas sweet". In December, Litus & Perinké Big Band will take the stage to transform classic Spanish rock anthems into swinging, brassy jazz numbers. It is a joyful, high-energy way to round off 2026, the kind of concert that leaves you walking out into the mild winter night with a big smile on your face.

The venue: a room with a view

If you have never been to the Sala Jerónimo Saavedra, you are in for a treat. Tucked inside the sweeping stone arches of the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, it is a space designed for listening. The acoustics are warm and clear, and the atmosphere is relaxed but respectful. Outside the glass walls, the deep blue of the Atlantic stretches towards the horizon, though once the music starts, all eyes are on the stage. It is a venue that attracts a loyal crowd, a mix of seasoned jazz heads, curious locals, and visitors who have stumbled upon one of the best-kept secrets in Las Palmas.

The location also means you can make a proper evening of it. The auditorium sits right on the edge of the Paseo de Las Canteras, one of the best urban beaches in the world. A pre-concert swim, a leisurely seafood dinner in La Puntilla, and then a short stroll to your seat: it is a hard routine to beat.

What we are still waiting for

While the confirmed names are already enough to get excited about, the full picture for 2027 is still coming into focus. The season runs until June, and the organisers have yet to announce the complete line-up for the first half of next year. We know there are eleven concerts in total, so several more artists and dates will be revealed in the coming months. The official channels of the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus and the Fundación Auditorio y Teatro will be the places to watch for the latest news.

It is also worth noting that this cycle is entirely separate from the summer Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz & Más, which takes place in July and visits multiple islands. El Rincón del Jazz is a Gran Canaria affair, rooted firmly in its home at the Auditorio. So if you are based in the south of the island, or even over in Tenerife, it is worth planning a trip to the capital for one of these special nights.