bio

César Vidal is a Chilean saxophonist, composer, and improviser based in Amsterdam. His artistic practice explores the relationship between acoustic and electronic sound, with a particular interest in the hybrid space created between the saxophone and digital processes. Through improvisation, he investigates how sound sources of different natures can develop a shared language, bringing together acoustic and electronic elements into a common sonic environment.

He studied classical composition at the University of Chile, working with renowned Chilean and international composers, before completing a Master's degree in Jazz Saxophone at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where he studied with leading Dutch musicians such as Ben van Gelder and Simon Rigter.

Throughout his career, Vidal has collaborated with musicians from the Chilean and international scenes, participating in acclaimed recordings such as Chincol (2021) by Juan Pablo Salvo and CODEX Big Band (2022) by Alfredo Tauber, both recipients of the Pulsar Award for Best Jazz Artist, the most important music recognition in the Chilean music industry. He has also contributed as a sideman to numerous jazz recordings and developed a diverse discography of his own, including SPAM (2026), NUBES (2025), and aleas (2026).

Vidal has performed at festivals and venues across Chile and Europe, including BIMHUIS (Amsterdam), JazzBer and Getxo Jazz (Basque Country), La Fête de la Musique (Geneva), and Jazzahead (Bremen). He leads and co-leads several projects, including César Vidal & Artikulation Band, a contemporary jazz ensemble with electronics that won second prize at the Getxo Jazz Ensemble Competition 2025 and opened for Grammy Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant.

He is also the co-founder of Des Visages, a saxophone and electronics duo focused on improvisation and sound exploration. The project has released two recordings and has toured across Europe, performing in cities such as London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris, Bern, Marseille, and Geneva.