
The IBÉRIA project originated in 2002, resulting in the first original album of the guitarist and composer Manuel de Oliveira, becoming the work that shaped his identity. Among other guests, his first album featured the special participation of Jorge Pardo (flute and soprano saxophone) and Carles Benavent (electric bass), musicians who were founders of the PACO DE LUCIA SEXTET. They quickly went from being visitors to inhabitants of a project that, over 20 years, has gifted us with new creations and unforgettable concerts. Notable events include the 2003 "Emociona Jazz, Madrid" festival, where they shared the stage with Chick Corea, John Scofield, Jan Garbarek (among others), and the 2007 IBÉRIA FLUENTE concert commissioned by Casa da Música. In 2012, within the framework of Guimarães European Capital of Culture, the IBÉRIA 10 ANOS concert took place, which later became a film-concert and was released as an album in 2016, followed by the IBÉRIA LIVE tour, concluding with sold-out shows at CCB (Lisbon) and Casa da Música (Porto).
In 2022, the three musicians come together again to record IBÉRIA 20|22, an album that celebrates the 20 years of this project.