Barcelona has a thriving jazz scene, with various venues dedicated to live concerts most nights of the year. Unsurprising, then, that its annual festival devoted to the genre is going so strong, this year celebrating its 47th edition.

Inaugurated back in 1966, when the great Dave Brubeck and his quartet performed at the Palau de la Música Catalana, the event has since welcomed more of the masters, such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins and Count Basie, along with a long roll-call of some of the finest jazz musicians around. In 2014, headliners included Chucho Valdés, Wayne Shorter and Zakir Hussain. Fans could also enjoy regular jam sessions at the Conservatori del Liceu and a wide range of masterclasses with the likes of double bassist Dave Holland, pianist Joachim Kühn, and vibraphonist Gary Burton. Local libraries also get in on the act, with exhibitions, activities introducing children to the key instruments, and sessions where some of the festival participants talk about their art.

www.barcelonajazzfestival.com