«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)
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 “Arrels” (10 best jazz albums 2021) featuring Antonio Lizana, the debut recording of his new free-flamenco-jazz Libérica project. Both have received great recongnition and deep impact worldwide. His last co-leaded album, “re-Tornar” (2023, Microscopi) 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 luminaries such as Dave Liebman, Chris Cheek, Eliot Zigmund, Bill McHenry, Ari Hoenig, Arturo O’Farrill, Chano Dominguez, Stephane Belmondo, Raynald Colom, Dena Derose… at some of the most prestigious Jazz festivals and clubs worldwide with different projects of his own.
His recent albums as a leader include:
- “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. This album was awarded at Enderrock Awards (Best Jazz Album 2022), at Núvol Awards (La Ruta del Jazz 2022) and selected in Jazz Revelations 2022 by Allaboutjazz among many others.
- “Arrels” (2021, Microscopi), the debut recording of his new free-flamenco-jazz Libérica project, featuring the multi-awarded singer and saxophonist Antonio Lizana. It was on the top 10 of Best Jazz Albums of 2021 by the prestigious Enderrock magazine and was at the final of 7Virtual Jazz Club Contest 2023.
- His last co-leaded album is “re-TORNAR” (2023, Microscopi) with the talented Catalan singer Magalí Sare that digs on ibero-American folklore in a very original way.
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 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” (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. This album was awarded at Enderrock Awards (Best Jazz Album 2022), at Núvol Awards (La Ruta del Jazz 2022) and selected in Jazz Revelations 2022 by Allaboutjazz among many others.
- “Arrels” (2021, Microscopi), the debut recording of his new free-flamenco-jazz Libérica project, featuring the multi-awarded singer and saxophonist Antonio Lizana. It was on the top 10 of Best Jazz Albums of 2021 by the prestigious Enderrock magazine and was at the final of 7Virtual Jazz Club Contest 2023.
- His last co-leaded album is “re-TORNAR” (2023, Microscopi) with the talented Catalan singer Magalí Sare that digs on ibero-American folklore in a very original way.
Throughout his career, Manel Fortià has performed with jazz luminaries such as Dave Liebman, Chris Cheek, Eliot Zigmund, Bill McHenry, Ari Hoenig, Arturo O’Farrill, Chano Dominguez, Stephane Belmondo, Scott Hamilton, Dena Derose, among many others, at some of the most prestigious international festivals such as Vitoria Jazz Festival (Spain), Jazzaldia San Sebastian (Spain), Antibes Jazz Festival (France), SudTirol Jazz Festival (Italy), NYC Mediterranean Jazz Festival (USA), Jazz in Sardegna (Italy), Breda Jazz Festival (Netherlands), PortaJazz Festival (Portugal), and Voll-Damm Barcelona Jazz Festival (Spain)… 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.
Manel Fortià has been recognized with multiple awards such as the Núvol Award “La Ruta del Jazz 2022”, Enderrock Award “Best Jazz Album 2022” for Despertar and “Jazzer 2020” by Jazzing Festival of Barcelona. He had been finalist at the international 7Virtual Jazz Club Contest 2023 with Libérica 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 career with his teaching role at the prestigious ESEM – Taller de Músics in Barcelona and in the Jazz Department of Girona Conservatorium.
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: Mireia Miralles