Festival de Jazz Vitoria-Gasteiz 2026, Vitoria (Spain)

Fohhn continues as Official Sound Partner of one of Europe's most prestigious jazz festivals, relying on its line array Focus Venue system with beam steering technology to deliver exceptional intelligibility and musical transparency.

Since 2018, Fohhn has been the Official Sound Partner of the internationally acclaimed Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, supporting one of Europe's longest-running and most respected jazz events with audio technology designed to reproduce every musical detail with absolute precision. As the festival returns for another edition, the partnership continues to demonstrate how advanced sound reinforcement can enhance the live experience while remaining virtually invisible to audiences.

For a festival that welcomes legendary performers alongside emerging artists, maintaining natural, consistent sound quality across multiple venues is essential. From intimate performances to headline concerts, every production demands the same level of clarity, coverage and tonal balance.

At the heart of the festival's audio deployment is Fohhn's Focus Venue system. The beam steering line array is complemented by PS-850 high-performance subwoofers, delivering powerful, controlled low-frequency reproduction, while PT-70 loudspeakers and XT-10 compact speakers provide front-fill and reinforcement where required. Together, the system delivers precise coverage, exceptional speech intelligibility, outstanding musical definition and a consistent listening experience from the front row to the back of every venue, while minimizing reflections and unwanted energy outside the audience area.

Over the past eight editions, Focus Venue systems have provided the sound for an extraordinary roster of internationally acclaimed artists. Audiences have enjoyed performances by Wynton Marsalis & the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Pat Metheny, Brad Mehldau, Marcus Miller, Gregory Porter, Snarky Puppy, Rubén Blades, Jamie Cullum, Chucho Valdés, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride, Dave Holland, Kenny Garrett, Maceo Parker, The Bad Plus, Take 6, Sun Ra Arkestra, Al Di Meola and many more. The diversity of these artists, from intimate acoustic jazz to big bands, funk ensembles, Latin music and contemporary crossover acts, highlights both the versatility of the festival and the adaptability of the Focus Venue platform.

"Sound quality is fundamental to the identity of this festival," says Alberto Ibarrondo, Director of the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival. "Our audiences come to experience every performance exactly as the artists intend it. Thanks to the work of our technical team, led by Fernando Díaz, together with Fohhn, we've been able to maintain an outstanding listening experience year after year."

Beyond technical performance, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation and long-term excellence. Since becoming the festival's official audio partner in 2018, Fohhn has worked closely with the festival's production team, whose system designs are developed in collaboration with Pedro Medina, Brand Manager for Fohhn Spain. Together, they have refined each year's deployment of the Focus Venue systems to suit the unique acoustic characteristics of the venue, ensuring exceptional intelligibility, uniform coverage and natural musical reproduction throughout the festival.

"The Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival is one of the finest examples of how beam-steering technology can enhance the live music experience," says Pedro Medina, Brand Manager for Fohhn Spain. "Working alongside Fernando Díaz and his team since 2018 has allowed us to continually optimize the Focus Venue systems for each venue and each performance. Our goal has always been the same: to provide artists, engineers and audiences with a listening experience that is transparent, consistent and true to the music."

Today, Focus Venue systems have accompanied performances by more than 150 internationally renowned artists, helping reinforce everything from solo piano recitals and vocal jazz to big bands, orchestras and large-scale contemporary productions. The long-standing collaboration between the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival and Fohhn has become a benchmark for how advanced beam-steering technology can serve the music rather than draw attention to itself.

Now entering its eighth season together, Fohhn and the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival continue to demonstrate how advanced engineering and artistic ambition can work hand in hand. Through the precision of the Focus Venue series and a partnership built on trust since 2018, every performance is delivered with the transparency, accuracy and emotional impact that have made the Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival one of Europe's defining live music events.