The 17th edition of the Lençóis Jazz & Blues Festival is scheduled to take place between October 28th and November 1st, covering the cities of São Luís and Barreirinhas in the state of Maranhão. The event will be free to attend and will bring together various artists, both from Maranhão and at national and international levels, presenting genres such as jazz, blues, soul, bossa nova, and Brazilian popular music (MPB).
In the capital of Maranhão, São Luís, performances will take place on October 28th and 29th, utilizing the space of the Convento das Mercês, located in the Historic Center. In Barreirinhas, the shows are scheduled for October 31st and November 1st, in the Beira Rio area.
Among the confirmed names for the festival are Carlos Malta, Trio Madeira Brasil, Flávia Bittencourt, Will Santt, Blues Beatles, Laura Catarina, and French saxophonist Benoît Crauste. In addition to the concert schedule, the festival will include a music workshop aimed at music students in São Luís.
Schedule in São Luís
The programming in the Maranhão capital begins on October 28th with performances by Djalma Chaves and Nosly, who will present the original show titled 'Andarilho Parador'. On the same night, there will be shows by Regiane Araújo, accompanied by Seu Garrê, and the duo formed by Paulão and Klicia.
The next day, October 29th, the public can watch the Upaon Jazz Quintet, led by French saxophonist Benoît Crauste and composed of musicians from the local instrumental scene. The evening will also feature singer Laura Catarina, daughter of composer Vander Lee, who will pay tribute to her father's repertoire. The night will conclude with a tribute to Ray Charles, performed by pianist Ari Borger and singer Hugo Rafael.
Performances in Barreirinhas
In Barreirinhas, the schedule starts on October 31st, at Beira Rio. One of the main attractions is Carlos Malta, who will celebrate 50 years of his career with the show 'O Escultor do Vento' (The Sculptor of the Wind). Will Santt will also be present, paying tribute to composer Tom Jobim, and the band Blues Beatles will perform Beatles hits with blues arrangements.
On November 1st, the festival will host Trio Madeira Brasil, recognized for its arrangements that blend choro with other Brazilian rhythms. Maranhão singer Flávia Bittencourt will also take the stage with her show 'Origens' (Origins), focusing on the cultural roots of the Northeast. The schedule concludes with João Ventura, who will present the show 'Entre o Erudito e o Popular' (Between the Erudite and the Popular), uniting elements of classical and popular music.
Free Music Workshop
In addition to the musical performances, the festival will promote the workshop named 'Listening, improvisation, and musical expression'. This activity will be conducted by French saxophonist Benoît Crauste on October 27th, from 8 am to 9:30 am, at the Bom Menino das Mercês Music School in São Luís. The target audience for this workshop is the institution's students, and the topics covered include improvisation, collective creation, breathing, articulation, and expressiveness in wind instruments.
Benoît Crauste, who graduated from the Paris Conservatory, has over two decades of professional experience and works in various styles, such as jazz, African, and Brazilian music. He has lived in São Luís since 2025, the year he founded the Upaon Jazz Quintet.