music

Founded in Barcelona by tenor saxophonist and composer Jordi Blanch, the quartet Jazz Pretenders blends fusion, funk and groove with jazz. They’ve released three albums to date including 2015’s Ritmes a l’Estudi, followed by Pretensions Elèctriques to 2021’s Big Jump, a record packed with fast rhythms and explosive solos. Vocalist Marian Barahona, a key presence in Barcelona’s jazz, blues and funk scenes, also appears on this 2021 album. 

The band’s repertoire combines original compositions with bold reinterpretations of pieces by jazz legends. The chemistry among the members - Blanch on tenor saxophone, Toni López on guitar, Dani Peña on electric bass, and Marcos López on drums - along with Barahona’s voice, results in a vibrant live performance where every musical note is charged with energy. Reunited for MASiMAS 2026, this is one jazz gig you should catch.