The smooth sounds of jazz set a sultry beat for September, with the unmissable Firenze Jazz Festival taking place in memorable venues all over the city from September 4-15.
Eleven days of concerts see both new and established names take their instruments to some of the city’s most stunning locations. Over 30 concerts form the lineup of the festival, which has established itself as one of the main music festivals over the course of its 7 years of activity. Initially born as a fringe festival in 2017 and 2018, the festival organized by Centro Spettacolo Network Soc.Coop with the artistic direction of Francesco Astore and in collaboration with Music Pool, Musicus Concentus and Empoli Jazz, many events are free admission with accessible ticket prices for the stellar performances by both Italian and international artists.
The main stage is once again in piazza del Carmine, with graphic design by popular visual artist Luchadora. The concept behind her piece is the pioneering women in the world of jazz, also underlying the larger aim of the festival, which is to involve and support the widest range possible of jazz performers.
Ferdinando Romano
Karima
Simona Molinari Ph. Riccardo Piccirillo
Highlights of the programme include Karima, who pays homage to Burt Bacharach at the Villa Strozzi amphitheatre on September 6. Melodies by the recently passed maestro have been interpreted by legends such as the Beatles, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. The Leaping Fish return with ‘Trees – The Music of Lou Reed’ at Villa Strozzi on September 6. The band made up of Paolo Botti (viola, violin), Enrico Terragnoli (guitar) and Zeno de Rossi (drums) take their name from the 1916 silent short film directed by John Emerson, with the acoustic sounds of instruments like the viola and banjo contrasted with electric distortions demonstrating their daring experimentation.
The Ferdinando Romano Quartet come to the Villa Bardini on September 8, with Ferdinando Romano (double bass) joined by Valentin Gerhardus (keyboards, electronics), Federico Calcagno (clarinet) and Antonio Fusco (drums) performing pieces from their 2023 album, Invisible Painters.
Simona Molinari is a well-known name whose performance at the Villa Strozzi amphitheatre on September 12 is bound to be one to remember. Having collaborated with the likes of Andrea Bocelli and Peter Cincotti, she’s graced the stages in places like New York, Tokyo and Moscow, and is a familiar face from the Sanremo Festival.
A wine corner by main sponsor Ruffino can be found in piazza del Carmine from September 13-15 with an event at their picturesque estate in Poggio Casciano starting at midday on September 15 featuring a fabulous jazz festival buffet brunch that sees Catalan singer Magalí Sare and multifaceted musician Manel Fortià perform on the platform in the garden from 2pm, with instruments like the flute and ukulele adding unique nuances to your atmospheric dining. Call +39 055 64 99750 to book.
Get your tickets at www.firenzejazzfestival.it.
