SHORT BIO
After a season living in NYC, Manel Fortià stablished himself as a new voice on doublebass in the European scene. His melodic sense, rhythmic precision and creativity have made him one of the most unique and original musicians of the new generation, who has become a versatile sideman in high demand and who also leads his own projects.
His recent albums as a leader include: “Despertar” (Enderrock Award 2023, Núvol Award 2022), in trio with Marco Mezquida and Raphael Pannier, and “ALÉ – Iberian Chants” (feat. Antonio Lizana & Carles Dénia) by his flamenco-jazz project Libérica. Both have received great recongnition and deep impact worldwide. His last co-leaded album, “Re-tornar” (Womex Selection 2023, nominated at Upbeat Awards, 4th prize at Gwangju World Cup Festival) with the talented Catalan singer Magalí Sare, digs in Iberian-American folklore in a very original and fresh way. In addition he has appeared in more than 60 albums as a co-leader and as a sideman.
MEDIUM BIO
After a season living in NYC, Manel Fortià stablished himself as a new voice on doublebass in the European scene. His melodic sense, rhythmic precision and creativity have made him one of the most unique and original musicians of the new generation, and have allowed him to perform with jazz and flamenco legends such as Dave Liebman, Chris Cheek, Arturo O’Farrill, Chano Domínguez, Chicuelo... at some of the most prestigious festivals and venues worldwide with different projects of his own.
His recent albums as a leader include:
- “ALÉ – Iberian Chants” (2025), the second recording of his awarded flamenco-jazz Libérica project, featuring the multi-awarded singer and saxophonist Antonio Lizana and the great singer Carles Dénia.
- “Re-tornar” (Womex selection 2023, nominated at Upbeat Awards, Altaveu Award 2023…) is his co-leaded album with the talented Catalan singer Magalí Sare that digs on ibero-American folklore in a very original way.
- “Despertar” (Jazz Revelations 2022 by Allaboutjazz, Latin & Jazz Selection by Downbeat, Best Jazz Album 2022 by Enderrock Awards, Núvol Award..,), playing fresh own compositions inspired in New York alongside his new European Trio featuring Spanish pianist Marco Mezquida and French drummer Raphaël Pannier.
In addition he has appeared in more than 60 albums as a co-leader and as a sideman, including “Estándares” (2022) with Grammy Awarded pianist Chano Dominguez & Antonio Lizana, “Tornaviaje” (2022) with Gonzalo Del Val Quartet featuring Raynald Colom and Romain Pilon, “Bulería Brooklyniana” (2018) with Marquès/Fortià/Pannier trio and “My Old Flame” (2015) in duet with Marco Mezquida.
LARGE BIO
After a season in NYC, Catalan double bassist Manel Fortià has established himself as a new voice on the European scene. His melodic sense, rhythmic precision and creativity have made him one of the most unique and original musicians of the new generation, who in addition to being in demand as a sideman, also leads his own projects.
His recent albums as a leader include:
- “ALÉ – Iberian Chants” (2025, Microscopi), the second recording of his awarded flamenco-jazz Libérica project, featuring the multi-awarded singer and saxophonist Antonio Lizana and the great singer Carles Dénia.
- “Re-tornar” (2023, Microscopi) is his co-leaded album with the talented Catalan singer Magalí Sare that digs on ibero-American folklore in a very original way.
- “Despertar” (2022, Microscopi), playing fresh own compositions inspired in New York alongside his new European Trio featuring Spanish pianist Marco Mezquida and French drummer Raphaël Pannier.
He has collaborated with jazz and flamenco legends such as Dave Liebman, Chris Cheek, Bill McHenry, Ari Hoenig, Arturo O’Farrill, Elio Villafranca, Chano Dominguez, Chicuelo, Niño Josele… and has performed at some of the most prestigious festivals in Europe, America and Asia, like Vitoria Jazz Festival (Spain), Jazzaldia San Sebastian (Spain), Antibes Jazz Festival (France), Womex (Spain), Firenze Jazz Festival (Italy), NYC Mediterranean Jazz Festival (USA), Stimmen Festival (Germany), Glatt Und Verkehrt (Austria), Idee Jazz (Estonia), Gwangju World Music Festival (Korea)… as well as in famed jazz clubs like Blue Note (New York), Jazz Gallery (New York), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Unterfahrt (Munich), Opus Jazz (Budapest), Pizza Express (London), An Die Musik (Baltimore), Hot Five (Porto), and Cafe Central (Madrid).
In addition he has appeared in more than 60 albums as a co-leader and as a sideman, including “Estándares” (2022) with Grammy Awarded pianist Chano Dominguez & Antonio Lizana, “Tornaviaje” (2022) with Gonzalo Del Val Quartet featuring Raynald Colom and Romain Pilon, “Bulería Brooklyniana” (2018) with Marquès/Fortià/Pannier trio and “My Old Flame” (2015) in duet with Marco Mezquida.
Throughout his career, Manel Fortià has received multiple awards such as the 3rd SGAE Jazz Tete Montoliu 2024 Award, 4th Prize at Gwangju World Cup Festival in Korea, the Enderrock 2023 Award for Best Jazz Album, the Núvol “La Ruta del Jazz 2022” award, “Jazzer 2020” by Jazzing Festival of Barcelona. He had been finalist at the “7Virtual Jazz Club Contest 2023” with Libérica, at “Upbeat Awards 2023” and at “Terra i Cultura 2019” with Magalí Sare, and he was three-time finalist at Castelló Jazz Contest (2012-2014). However, he won the Jazz Fusion Contest (2013) with Tak!. In addition, he combines a performing and composing career with his teaching at the ESEM – Taller de Músics de Barcelona, the Jazz Department of the Conservatori de Girona and the Jazz Department of the Conservatori de Badalona.
He also has been involved with social justice music projects happening in the U.S. including Freedom First (Justice for Keith Lamar), which fights for human rights and equality, leaded by the musician-activist Albert Marquès featuring Arturo O’Farrill, Salim Washington, Caroline Davis among many others.
photos: Marta Pich
PRESS QUOTES:
«Manel Fortià has an impressive yet eclectic resumé. No matter the context, it is his large and deep sound that immediately hooks the listener.»
— New York Jazz Record (US)
«Fortià is a masterful composer of great breadth and imagination.»
— Jazziz Magazine (US)
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