A warm Saturday evening at Castello di Udine<\/strong> turned fiery as Spanish bass phenomenon Vincen Garc\u00eda<\/a><\/strong> took the stage at Udin&Jazz 2025<\/a><\/strong>. In just over an hour, Garc\u00eda and his razor-sharp band delivered a high-voltage set of funk grooves, jaw-dropping solos, and irresistible showmanship<\/strong> that got the audience on their feet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n The show opened with a playback intro featuring a pre-recorded MC announcement, while the band casually walked onstage to a laid-back hip-hop beat. After a brief line check, they launched into the funk-fusion fire of \u201cAprieta,\u201d a track from Garc\u00eda\u2019s 2023 album Ventura<\/em>. With an opening reminiscent of the Brecker Brothers’ \u201cSome Skunk Funk,\u201d the group immediately established a tight groove that never loosened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garc\u00eda\u2019s playing was electric \u2014 whether anchoring the pocket, firing off fills, or soaring through solos, the groove never left his fingertips. His stage presence was just as commanding, urging the audience to clap along during his bass solo, before seamlessly handing off to solos by Manuel Pardo<\/strong> and David Cases<\/strong>. Their trumpet-sax pairing provided a tight, expressive horn section<\/strong> that elevated each tune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The band followed up with \u201cBerlin<\/strong>,\u201d another track from Ventura<\/em>. Though the groove floated more gently, the energy didn\u2019t dip. Pardo\u2019s octave-processed trumpet solo added textural depth, and Garc\u00eda\u2019s flawless time feel drove the music forward. After a slick bass solo closed the tune, Garc\u00eda quipped, \u201cIt is hot!\u201d \u2014 and he wasn\u2019t just talking about the weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next came a stripped-down slapping solo, with Garc\u00eda backed only by audience claps. He not only held tempo \u2014 he accelerated it with precision, displaying his technical range and stage charisma. His movements across the stage and communication with the band showed just how much joy he finds in playing. It felt as if he had contained this energy all day, only to explode in groove the moment the show began.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a heartfelt moment of audience interaction, Garc\u00eda invited the crowd to join in a call-and-response. He played a catchy bass lick and encouraged the audience to sing it back \u2014 first shyly, then louder and louder. Dividing the crowd into two \u201cteams,\u201d he sparked a friendly competition for volume and groove. The participatory energy culminated in a rocking finish to the tune, with the audience now fully part of the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Garc\u00eda\u2019s recent collaboration with Cory Wong<\/strong> on his 2023 European tour was honored mid-set with a fiery take on \u201cThe Grid Generation.\u201d<\/strong> Far from a straightforward cover, the band delivered a sharp, energized version packed with rhythmic precision and bold dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andoni Narvaez<\/strong> seized the moment, stepping forward with a solo that revealed his range \u2014 from deep-in-the-pocket funk to fluid, melodic phrasing. His interplay with Garc\u00eda throughout the entire show was remarkable<\/strong>, consistently locking in on even the smallest licks and nuances. Their tight musical communication was a key element of the band\u2019s groove-driven power.<\/p>\n\n\n When Garc\u00eda announced, \u201cThis is the last song!\u201d, the audience cried \u201cNo!\u201d in unison. They launched into \u201cFast Forward Funk<\/strong>,\u201d a crowd favorite. During a breakdown, David Cases<\/strong> delivered a standout saxophone solo while Garc\u00eda knelt beside him, amping up the energy to a thrilling climax. The tune closed with unison horn hits and rhythmic precision that underscored the band\u2019s endurance and chemistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the encore, they returned with \u201cAlt-F4<\/strong>,\u201d another cut from Ventura<\/em>. It was the perfect summary of the set: tight grooves, slapping bass, melodic solos from Narvaez, dynamic horn interplay, and a final drum solo by Sergio Garciaover coordinated band hits \u2014 a true funk-fusion showstopper.<\/p>\n\n\n Vincen Garc\u00eda\u2019s set was a tour de force of modern funk \u2014 rooted in tradition, elevated by technical excellence, and powered by collective musical joy. As a bass player, frontman, and groove architect, Garc\u00eda is leading a new wave of funk with confidence and style. If you get the chance to hear him live, take it \u2014 this is music you don\u2019t just hear, you feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Udin&Jazz once again proved its visionary programming, following Garc\u00eda\u2019s set with the equally thrilling Matteo Mancuso<\/a><\/strong>, who was later joined by Garc\u00eda himself \u2014 a spontaneous fusion of two next-gen virtuosos and a reminder that the spirit of jazz lies in collaboration and connection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoyed this review? You can check out more of our concert reviews<\/a> for deeper dives into the performances<\/a> that move us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Funk bassist Vincen Garc\u00eda brings virtuosic energy and infectious rhythm to Udin&Jazz 2025 Castello di Udine, July 19 2025 A warm Saturday evening at Castello di Udine turned fiery as Spanish bass phenomenon Vincen Garc\u00eda took the stage at Udin&Jazz 2025. In just over an hour, Garc\u00eda and his razor-sharp band delivered a high-voltage set of funk grooves, jaw-dropping solos, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4961,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,38,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-concerts","category-italy","category-jazz"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theconcertwitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSCF9386-1024x582.avif\")
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\n\n\n\nOpening with Impact: \u201cAprieta\u201d Sets the Tone<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nDeep Pockets and High Energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nCall and Response, Crowd Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Nod to Cory Wong and Guitar Fireworks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nFinal Funk and Explosive Encore<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAfter the Funk: A Night of Next-Gen Virtuosity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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