The Festival

A unique commitment to harmonica music in our region

The Calella Harmonica Festival is the only festival exclusively dedicated to the harmonica in Catalonia, Spain, and the entire Iberian Peninsula. It brings together the finest harmonica players from the international scene. Founded in 2022 and held by the sea in Calella (Barcelona), it has become a meeting point for professional musicians, students, and harmonica enthusiasts from around the world.

Through concerts, training, and participatory activities, the festival celebrates the expressive and cultural richness of this small yet incredibly versatile instrument.

HISTORY

The festival was born in 2021, during the 30th edition of the Calella Jazz & Blues Festival, Joan Josep Ribas “Txespi”, when musician Joan Pau Cumellas impressed programmer Marcel Pla with a harmonica improvisation at a jazz and blues concert. That meeting planted the seed of a project that would become the continuation of the iconic festival, transforming it into this pioneering initiative that has grown into an international benchmark.

Since the very first year, we have welcomed artists from over 12 countries and hosted students and audiences from all across Europe.

PHILOSOPHY

We believe in music as a tool for communication, education, and inclusion. That’s why we combine artistic quality with a pedagogical and social mission. The harmonica, due to its affordability and accessibility, is the perfect instrument to discover the world of music at any stage of life.

Our goal is to elevate the harmonica, highlight its potential in styles such as jazz, blues, flamenco, classical, and traditional world music, and to build a community that grows and thrives year after year.

TEAM

The festival is promoted by the Catalan Association for the Promotion of Young Artists and Musicians (JAM), with the support of the Calella City Council and the collaboration of local tourism and cultural organizations.

Artistic and Pedagogical Team

  • Joan Pau Cumellas (Catalonia-Spain): Artistic Director, a key figure of the harmonica in our country and at international festivals.

  • Quim Roca (Catalonia-Spain): Sound therapist, specialist in circular breathing.

  • Sergi Raya (Catalonia-Spain): Music educator and specialist in modern music and jazz.

Organizing Team

  • Marcel Pla: General coordination

  • Cristina Viñas: Production and management

  • Meritxell Puente: Communication and social media

  • Ivan Coral: Graphic design

  • Àlex M. Franquet: Exhibitions, talks and media coverage

  • … and a large team of collaborators and volunteers who make it possible every year.