The Sexteto de Jazz de Lisboa (SJL) was founded in 1984 by its original members Tomás Pimentel, Mário Laginha, Edgar Caramelo, Carlos Martins, David Gausden and Carlos Vieira. The collective soon established itself as one of the most notable Portuguese jazz groups and a pioneer in the Portuguese jazz scene, performing as a large group with three wind instruments in the front line: a trumpet and two saxophones.

In 1988, they released “Ao Encontro”, their first and only album, recorded in the previous year. Thirty years later, they returned to the stage following a challenge set by António Curvelo and Manuel Jorge Veloso, to join the “Histórias do Jazz” (Jazz Stories) cycle in Portugal.

By 2014, the collective had undergone some adjustments: Pedro and Mário Barreiros replaced bassist David Gausden and drummer Carlos Vieira, and saxophonist Jorge Reis replaced Carlos Martins. Despite the sudden death of Jorge Reis in the same year, the other musicians decided to continue the project as a heartfelt tribute to their partner. They invited Ricardo Toscano to take his place and Francisco Brito, another young musician, who replaced Pedro Barreiros.

In every performance, they present themselves with a markedly contemporary sound which has been well-received by critics, leading to them performing at some of the most notable Portuguese festivals and the country’s most renowned stages.