JazzAscona: A Saturday of major debuts and anticipated comebacks

Among the new acts, the arrival of Torsten Goods (9:45 p.m., Stage Seven) stands out. Nicknamed the “German George Benson,” he is a guitarist and singer who moves effortlessly between Jazz, soul, funk, and pop. 

Also making their debut that evening are Ali Affleck and The Traveling Janes (7:00 p.m., Blue LLama Terrace), an all-female band that reinterprets early Jazz and blues with energy and freedom.

The connection with New Orleans is renewed with a special moment: starting tonight, Glen David Andrews (8:00 p.m., New Orleans Stage) joins NOJO5—the iconic New Orleans trombonist and singer who combines great musical depth with an irresistible showman’s spirit.

Another highlight of the lineup is the tribute to the great Jazz of the 20th century: Mauro Brunini Hard Bop Tribute (7:30 p.m., Stage Seven), dedicated to the Hard Bop era.

The evening also features the second and final concert by The Big Five feat. Nicolle Rochelle (8:30 p.m., Elvezia Stage), a wonderful vocalist who blends swing, dance, and theatricality.

To close out the night, the lineup shifts to more contemporary sounds with the funk band Radius (10:30 p.m., New Orleans Stage), who will be presented with the 2025 AET Audience Award, followed by the energy of Sean Ardoin (11:00 p.m., Elvezia Stage), who brings zydeco back to the forefront in a nighttime setting.

The evening continues past midnight with a late-night party featuring Mad Groove & The Soul Doctors (12:00 a.m., Blue LLama Terrace), a mix of funk and soul, and with the jam sessions that, as is tradition, wraps up the day at Trattoria La Cambusa.

Todays picks

• Frog & Henry – Soundtracks Centovallina (15:00, partenza Locarno FFS)

• Ali Affleck and The Traveling Janes (19:00, Blue LLama Terrace)

• Mauro Brunini Hard Bop Tribute (19:30, Stage Seven)

• NOJO5 w/ Glen David Andrews (20:00, Stage New Orleans)

• The Big Five feat. Nicolle Rochelle (20:30, Stage Elvezia)

• Torsten Goods (21:45, Stage Seven)

• Radius (22:30, Stage New Orleans)

• Sean Ardoin Quintet (23:00, Stage Elvezia)

• Mad Groove & The Soul Doctors – Late Night (00:00, Blue LLama Terrace)