Álvaro Medina: five years of Jazzy, a global tour, and a life built around the dancefloor

Five years is not a long time in the history of club culture. Yet for a project like Jazzy, five years contains thousands of hours of music, countless flights, lifelong friendships and a community that now stretches across multiple continents. As the brand prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2027 with a global tour, founder Álvaro Medina finds himself reflecting on a journey that has moved far faster than he ever imagined. What began as a small underground gathering in Madrid has evolved into an international platform with events taking place everywhere from London and Lima to Tokyo and Puerto Escondido. Despite the growth, however, the philosophy behind Jazzy remains remarkably unchanged.

The story begins in Madrid, where Medina and his partners launched Jazzy with little more than a shared vision and a deep love for underground electronic music. At the time, the project occupied a small space within the city’s nightlife ecosystem, but it quickly developed a loyal following. Week after week, the team focused on creating something authentic rather than chasing trends. Looking back, Medina still speaks about those early years with a sense of gratitude and disbelief. The scale may have changed, but the memories remain vivid.

“Our journey is still very short, but we’re happy to keep going. We started in Madrid, three good friends together with Maryo and Jordi Castell, in a small club in the city centre called Cadavra Club. Every Saturday we hosted artists like Shonky, Tania Vulcano, Nu Zau, Djebali, Javier Carballo and Pau Perez. We were building something special little by little, without really knowing where it could eventually lead us.”

The first major turning point came when Jazzy moved to Bassmnt Club. Suddenly, the project was no longer operating in a 200-capacity venue but in one capable of welcoming five times as many people. It was a significant leap for a brand dedicated to a niche corner of electronic music. The risk could easily have backfired, but instead it became the moment that propelled Jazzy into a new chapter. For Medina, one night in particular stands out as the catalyst.

“Moving to Bassmnt was a huge step because we went from a capacity of 200 people to around 1,000. Our first event there with Raresh and Tini was incredibly important for the growth of the brand. Nobody in Madrid was really doing events of that size with this style of music. I think that night gave us a lot of visibility and helped people understand what Jazzy was about. From that point onwards, we kept working hard and eventually that allowed us to take the brand around the world.”

Today, Jazzy’s reach extends far beyond Madrid. Yet rather than focusing on expansion for its own sake, Medina talks about the project as a collection of communities connected through music. The upcoming anniversary tour reflects that mentality. Rather than simply visiting major markets, the itinerary is built around places that have become part of Jazzy’s story over the years. Many of those destinations hold emotional significance that goes far beyond ticket sales or attendance figures.

“We’re preparing a world tour through clubs, parties and festivals that are very important to us. Some of them have become traditions. Medellín is one of the most special because every year we organise a charity event in Comuna 13 where we donate toys and school supplies to local children. Then there are places like Whynot in Zanzibar, Fabric in London, La Casona de Camaná in Lima, La Cale in Rabat and the incredible community around SinxCensura in Puerto Escondido. Every city has its own personality, but all of them have become part of the Jazzy family.”

That connection to community is not accidental. Long before he was a promoter, Medina was a devoted raver whose understanding of club culture was shaped by some of the most influential parties of the 2000s. Ibiza, in particular, left a lasting impression on him. During several summers spent on the island, he experienced first-hand the energy and freedom that made events like Circoloco and Cocoon legendary. Those experiences continue to influence how he approaches music and events today.

“Before I ever started DJing, the parties that impacted me the most were Circoloco at DC10 and Cocoon at Amnesia between 2005 and 2009. Back then I was spending summers on the island, trying to make a living and discovering what would become some of the best parties of my life. Those years changed the way I understood music, dancefloors and community. Looking back now, I realise how much those experiences still influence everything I do.”

Musically, Medina’s influences extend far beyond house and techno. His taste was shaped by hip-hop, funk and R&B long before he became immersed in underground electronic music. Over time, those influences merged with a deep appreciation for Chicago house, minimal and some of the key figures who defined the sound of the 2000s. Just as important were the clubs, labels and communities that demonstrated how electronic music culture could be built around values rather than hype.

“One of the musical movements that influenced me the most was hip-hop, funk and R&B from the ’80s, ‘90s and 2000s. Then of course there was Chicago house and the minimal movement with artists like Luciano, Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin, Steve Bug and Cajmere. The early years of Fuse and what Slapfunk has become today have probably been my biggest influences. They showed me how powerful a real community can be when it’s built around music first.”

Another defining chapter arrived during his decade-long residency at Replay Sunset Parties in Madrid. The experience allowed him to share booths with many of the artists he admired while learning the realities of operating within the underground scene. More importantly, it provided a front-row seat to a period that many still regard as one of the most vibrant eras in Madrid’s club culture. Those years helped transform him from an enthusiastic music lover into a complete artist and promoter.

“I spent almost ten years as a resident at Replay Sunset Parties and had the opportunity to play alongside artists like Loco Dice, Tini, Apollonia, Mathew Jonson, Seth Troxler and Nicolas Lutz. It was a period that brings back incredible memories. The underground scene in Madrid felt much more alive back then and it taught me so much, not only as a DJ but also as a promoter. Those experiences gave me the foundations for everything that came afterwards.”

The landscape has changed considerably since then. Social media, personal branding and content creation now occupy a larger role than ever before, often forcing artists to divide their attention between creativity and self-promotion. Medina acknowledges that reality openly. Like many artists from his generation, he sometimes feels that music itself is no longer the industry’s primary focus. Yet despite the frustrations, he continues to find motivation in the same place he always has.

“Honestly, it’s becoming harder and harder because music feels like it’s taking a back seat. You have to be on social media all the time, be a public relations person, a graphic designer, a content creator and a community manager. But then I sit down in the studio and lose track of time for hours. When I test those tracks in a club and see people dancing to them, or when I hear artists I admire playing my music, that’s a feeling that has no price. That’s what keeps me going.”

The first half of 2026 has delivered several moments that reinforced that passion. Among them, his debut at SinxCensura in Puerto Escondido stands out as one of the most meaningful experiences of the year. Surrounded by jungle and powered by an audience whose energy exceeded all expectations, the event left a lasting impression. It reminded him that some of the most powerful dancefloor experiences often happen far away from the industry’s traditional centres.

“I didn’t know Puerto Escondido before playing there and honestly I fell in love with it. The party was in the middle of the jungle with an incredible sound system and lighting, but what really stayed with me was the vibe and the energy of the people. I felt an immediate connection with that crowd. It was one of those nights where everything just clicks. I’m counting the days until I can go back.”

Other highlights included his residency at La Casona de Camaná in Lima, a dream debut at Womb Tokyo and a first-ever B2B with Tania Vulcano. For Medina, those moments carried particular emotional weight because they involved artists and venues that had influenced him for years. The distance between fan and peer suddenly disappeared. Several personal milestones arrived within the space of a few months.

“When I was younger, I used to watch Tania Vulcano play at Circoloco and think it was incredible. Then this year I found myself playing a B2B with her in Barcelona. Honestly, I didn’t have words. The same thing happened with my debut at Womb in Tokyo. Japan is one of my favourite places in the world and I’d spent years dancing in that club as a customer. Being able to stand behind the booth there was a dream come true.”

The momentum continues this summer with another landmark performance. On August 16, Medina will make his debut on the Terrace at Pyramid Ibiza alongside Ricardo Villalobos, Raresh, Chris Stussy, Sidney Charles, Mar-T and Caal. For someone whose relationship with electronic music was forged on the island nearly two decades ago, the symbolism is difficult to ignore. It represents another important step in a journey that feels increasingly international.

“Playing Pyramid on the Terrace at Amnesia is a very special moment for me. Sharing a lineup with artists like Ricardo Villalobos, Raresh and Chris Stussy is something I never take for granted. I’m incredibly grateful to Mar-T, Nacho and the whole team for giving me this opportunity. Ibiza played such an important role in my life that returning there under these circumstances feels very emotional.”

Away from the dancefloor, 2026 has also brought significant changes through his recent move to Interwave. After waiting nearly a year for the opportunity, Medina finally joined the agency and quickly found himself surrounded by a team he deeply respected. The partnership was driven by trust as much as ambition. For the first time in years, he feels supported by a structure that genuinely understands his vision.

“I’d been waiting almost a year for this moment. I’ve always admired the work Trace has done and the family she has built at Interwave. I already had friends within the agency and always felt I could fit there. We’ve only been working together for a few months, but I’m extremely happy with Shariff, Marlon, Dylan and the whole team. They’re incredibly professional and I genuinely believe great things are coming.”

That support has allowed him to become more selective with bookings and dedicate more time to music. It has also helped him approach his career with a longer-term perspective. Rather than constantly juggling every aspect of the business himself, he can focus on the creative work that originally drew him into the scene. For an artist balancing multiple projects, that freedom is invaluable.

“Having a strong team behind you changes everything. It helps with important decisions, allows you to be more selective with shows and gives you more time to focus on music. In many ways it’s about professionalising your career. The more time I can spend creating, the happier I am.”

That creative energy is already translating into new projects. Between forthcoming releases, the continued growth of Matahari and the upcoming launch of Jazzy Club Records, Medina enters the second half of 2026 with no shortage of ambitions. Yet even as the scale of the projects increases, the motivation remains surprisingly simple. The same excitement that drove him to dancefloors in Ibiza continues to drive him today.

“This year I have a lot of music coming out and I haven’t stopped making new tracks. I’m excited about my upcoming vinyl on Dias de Campo, excited about the next Matahari release and very excited about launching Jazzy Club Records for the fifth anniversary next year. But at the end of the day, what matters most is still the same thing it was when we started. Good music, good people and creating moments that stay with you forever.”