The tribute marking fifty years since the passing of Nino Bravo unfolds in two grand formats, each designed to honor the legendary singer’s legacy. The project will tour Spain starting in the Valencian Community, led by the acclaimed soloist Serafín Zubiri and supported by a renowned trumpeter. The tour features more than a dozen soloists, including the ideologue of the venture, international soloist and percussionist from Xixona, Javier Eguillor, who helped shape the concept from its early days.
Across the season the ensemble presents a historic homage to a voice that defined an era. In this special year, the Valencian Community’s main capitals are central to the itinerary, with performances in both big band and symphonic arrangements. The Valencian Community Orchestra will perform on two dates at the Palau de les Arts on October 9 and later in Madrid during June, in collaboration with the Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra. Plans also include performances in Barcelona and other major capitals.
This tour represents a bold musical bet, showcasing the artistry that Valencia and the broader Spanish music scene have offered. It aims to leave a lasting imprint on the country’s cultural memory, a footprint that resonates through generations.
More than a tour
The project carries the working title 50 years without Nino, signaling that this is more than a punctual tribute. It spans a year to reexamine the great achievements that defined a period, exploring both the original formats and fresh arrangements that keep the music alive for today’s audiences. It aspires to become a reference point for future generations while honoring the past.
The journey begins with a major tour in a big band format, launching mid May in Gandia. From there, it will visit the region’s principal capitals, including Xàtiva and Xogorb, before moving on to other Spanish stages in a symphonic setting. Cities such as Alicante, Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona are in the plan, among others. The schedule already includes about twelve cities for the big band presentations and nearly a dozen for the symphony orchestra format. Each stop features a local ensemble assembled to participate in this unique commemoration, under the sponsorship of Antiu Xixona, a well known confectionery brand, alongside the Valencia Tourism Agency.
This tribute, coinciding with the Year of Nino Bravo in 2023 at Les Corts, marks a moment when the artist’s influence remains powerful despite his passing. In a few short years, Bravo has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Spanish music, his work continuing to inspire voices and performers across generations.
Other music formats
For Javier Eguillor, the project’s initiator, the mission is to visit as many towns as possible to honor the audience that has kept Bravo’s music alive. The effort celebrates the public reception while also presenting Bravo’s songs through new arrangements and formats, ensuring a lasting presence in the cultural memory. The show focuses on faithful yet vibrant reinterpretations that honor the artist’s integrity while inviting fresh interpretation from contemporary musicians.
The production emphasizes musical excellence over mere fidelity, drawing on a curated repertoire drawn from Bravo’s most beloved songs. In a year as significant as the fiftieth anniversary of his death, the project spans the cultural and musical landscape, inviting audiences to revisit the authenticity of the performances that defined Bravo and the era. It is a demanding, ambitious undertaking that brings together outstanding musicians to create a distinctive, one time event whose creative fusion guarantees a memorable experience.