The 2026 edition of Eivissa Jazz came to a spectacular close in Dalt Vila on Saturday, September 5, with a full house at the Baluard de Santa Llúcia for performances by American double bassist Tonina Saputo and Brazilian bassist Michael Pipoquinha.

The final night brought the 38th edition of the International Eivissa Jazz Festival to a close after five consecutive evenings of music from September 1 to 5. The combination of international artists, local talent and the historic setting of Dalt Vila once again placed Ibiza's jazz scene firmly in the spotlight.

According to the festival's official programme, Tonina and Michael Pipoquinha Quartet were the two headline performances scheduled for the final night.

A full house for the festival finale

The Baluard de Santa Llúcia was packed as audiences made their way up into Dalt Vila for the festival's closing night.

The atmosphere was set from the opening moments of Tonina Saputo's performance, with the American musician using her double bass as both a rhythmic and melodic instrument.

Her appearance also featured an international trio alongside guitarist Ivy Alexander from Kenya and drummer Gianco Moncada from Ecuador, creating a performance that moved across different musical traditions.

The festival's organisers had placed particular emphasis on emerging international talent for the 2026 edition, and the final evening offered a clear example of that approach.

Tonina Saputo brings a global sound to Dalt Vila

Tonina Saputo has developed an individual style that draws on jazz while incorporating Latin American, African American and other global influences.

Her performance in Dalt Vila reflected that musical background, moving between groove-driven passages, Spanish-language material and more experimental arrangements.

The audience was invited to sing along to the familiar refrain of "Quizás, quizás, quizás", while the set also included references to traditional Spanish song.

Another striking moment came with her interpretation of "Serpiente", a Spanish-language song dedicated to Donald Trump.

The performance concluded with Saputo's distinctive take on Nirvana's "Smells Like a Teen Spirit", transforming the famous alternative-rock track into a version that moved through darker, more dramatic and soulful territory.

Michael Pipoquinha takes over the stage

The second major performance of the night came from Brazilian bassist Michael Pipoquinha.

Born in the Brazilian state of Ceará, Pipoquinha has built a reputation for his highly energetic approach to the bass and his ability to use the instrument as a central melodic and rhythmic voice.

For his Eivissa Jazz performance, he was joined by Thiago Almeida on keyboards, Mamah Soares on percussion and Renato Galv on drums.

Together, the quartet delivered a performance centred around Pipoquinha's five-string bass, with the musician showcasing the technical range and unusual sounds he can produce from the instrument.

The performance was one of the evening's major highlights and provided a very different sound from the earlier set by Tonina.

Funk, baião and the music of Brazil

Pipoquinha's set travelled through several sides of Brazilian and contemporary music.

Songs from his album "Minha Pele" featured alongside funk influences and more personal material.

His performance also addressed social themes, including anti-racism messages, while other pieces took a more everyday and intimate approach.

One of the Brazilian cultural references running through the concert was the music of Dominguinhos, the celebrated accordionist and composer whose work had a major influence on Brazilian popular music.

Pipoquinha incorporated baião rhythms into the performance, connecting his contemporary bass-driven sound with one of Brazil's best-known regional musical traditions.

A festival built around international talent

The closing night was a fitting conclusion to an edition that had been designed to strengthen Eivissa Jazz's international profile.

The 38th festival took place from September 1 to 5 and featured a programme combining established and emerging musicians from Ibiza, Spain and abroad.

The official festival programme placed Tonina Saputo and Michael Pipoquinha Quartet at the centre of the final night, following performances by other artists during the opening four evenings.

That international character has become an increasingly important part of the festival's identity, while the setting of Dalt Vila gives the event a distinctive connection to Ibiza's heritage.

Dalt Vila adds another dimension

The location remains one of Eivissa Jazz's greatest assets.

The Baluard de Santa Llúcia sits within Dalt Vila, Ibiza's historic fortified old town, creating a concert environment very different from a conventional indoor venue.

Audiences can watch the performances surrounded by the walls of the UNESCO World Heritage site while looking out towards the city and the Mediterranean.

That combination of architecture, history and live music has helped make Eivissa Jazz one of Ibiza's most distinctive cultural events.

The final night was about more than the concerts

Eivissa Jazz is not limited to the headline performances in Dalt Vila.

The festival traditionally includes jam sessions and other musical activities, extending the programme beyond the main concerts.

Following the final performances, the last notes of the festival continued to echo through Ibiza's streets and Marina area as audiences descended from Dalt Vila.

For musicians and jazz fans, the informal sessions are an important part of the festival atmosphere and help turn the event into a wider celebration of the genre rather than simply a series of ticketed concerts.

Ibiza's jazz tradition continues

The successful finale also highlights the longevity of Eivissa Jazz itself.

The 2026 festival marked the 38th edition of the event, making it one of Ibiza's longest-running international cultural festivals.

Over the years, Eivissa Jazz has brought together musicians from different countries and generations while maintaining a strong connection with the island's own musical community.

The 2026 programme continued that tradition, combining local participation with artists whose careers extend well beyond Spain.

Looking ahead to 2027

With the final concerts now over, Eivissa Jazz has officially signed off until next year's edition.

The festival once again demonstrated that Ibiza's cultural calendar extends well beyond its famous club scene.

For five nights, Dalt Vila became a meeting point for jazz musicians and audiences, with the final evening providing a particularly strong conclusion thanks to Tonina Saputo and Michael Pipoquinha.

After a full house and an evening of energetic performances, international collaboration and traditional jam sessions, the 2026 edition leaves behind another chapter in the long history of jazz on the island.

Key Facts

• Festival: Eivissa Jazz 2026

• Edition: 38th

• Dates: September 1 to 5, 2026

• Final night: Saturday, September 5

• Main venue: Baluard de Santa Llúcia, Dalt Vila

• Final-night headliners: Tonina Saputo and Michael Pipoquinha Quartet

• Tonina's accompanying musicians: Ivy Alexander and Gianco Moncada

• Pipoquinha's quartet: Thiago Almeida, Mamah Soares and Renato Galv

• Final night attendance: Full house

• Festival programme also included traditional jam sessions

• Next edition: 2027