Orquestra Jazz de Leiria (Leiria Jazz Orchestra – OJL), a project created by musician César Cardoso, was created in February 2011 with the goal of creating a quality formation that would bring together musicians from the region who are dedicated to the practice of this style of music.

The repertoire ranges from classics by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, to contemporary composers such as Mário Laginha, Bob Brookmeyer, Maria Schneider, Claus Nymark, César Cardoso, Pedro Moreira, Tomás Pimentel, Bernardo Sassetti, Pedro Nobre among others.

The collaborations with guests were very well received by the public. Previous concerts have already featured Vânia Fernandes, David Fonseca, Maria João, Herman José, Luísa Sobral, Áurea, Tiago Bettencourt, Pedro Abrunhosa, Ana Bacalhau, Camané, Sara Tavares, António Zambujo, Jorge Palma, Simone de Oliveira, Miguel Araújo and Salvador Sobral with arrangements by members of the orchestra.

OJL also stands out the participations in the events “Há música na cidade”, organized by Jornal de Leiria, the festival “A Arte da Big Band”, that annually gathers in Lisbon formations of the genre from all over Europe, Bienal Ibéria do Património Cultural (Valladolid) and Festival MeaJazz.

OJL chooses artists from different musical areas, and for this concert they have chosen Gisela João, one of Portugal’s great fado singers.

As usual for each concert, also for this show will be made specific and original arrangements for OJL by members of the orchestra which makes the show even more unique and special.

César Cardoso will be in charge of the artistic direction.

Orquestra Jazz de Leiria and Gisela João will take the stage at 9:30pm.

For more information, contact José Lúcio da Silva Theatre (244 823 600).