San Sebastian Jazz Festival

The small area means that the audience is close to the stage, but in the mid-1970s more famous artists started to perform at Jazzaldia, so more spacious venues were needed, and the shows were moved to Anoeta Velodrome and the Sports Hall.

During the first years of the festival, the programme prioritised mainstream and traditional jazz and blues, with artists such as Milt Buckner, Jo Jones, Cab Calloway, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters.

Artists who have appeared at the festival include Charles Mingus,[4] Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Art Blakey, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Don Cherry, Ornette Coleman, Gerry Mulligan, Weather Report, Hank Jones, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, B.B.

King, Diana Krall, Van Morrison, Liza Minnelli, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Esperanza Spalding, and Ray Gelato.

The stages include: Since 1994, Jazzaldia has presented an award to one of the artists performing at the festival, in recognition of their contribution to jazz and influence on following generations of musicians.