Alburni World Jazz Festival
International jazz beneath the Alburni Mountains, in Serre
About Alburni World Jazz
A historic festival at the foot of the Alburni
The Alburni World Jazz Festival is one of the longest-running music festivals in the province of Salerno. Founded in the nineties in the town of Serre, a small village nestled at the foot of the Alburni Mountains, it has spanned over three decades, reaching its 31st edition in 2025 and establishing itself as one of the most anticipated jazz events of the Campanian summer. The formula has remained unchanged: evening open-air concerts, free admission, and artistic direction that prioritizes original projects over easy-listening headliners.
Piazza Ennio D'Aniello, the natural stage
All evenings take place in Piazza Ennio D'Aniello, in the heart of the village. It is an intimate space where the audience sits just a few meters from the stage, and the acoustics of the mountain air do the rest. On August nights, the temperature is mild even late into the evening, and the square fills with locals, vacationers, and enthusiasts arriving from Salerno, Cilento, and the Vallo di Diano. The atmosphere is that of a village festival that has learned the language of sophisticated jazz.
A program that looks to the world
The term world in the name is not just for show. Over the years, the lineup has hosted projects ranging from Brazilian jazz to Malian blues, from Argentine influences to Italian funk, as well as vocal jazz and contemporary research. The artistic direction is entrusted to Amedeo Ariano and Gino Ariano, who craft a listening journey each year rather than a simple sequence of concerts.
- Contemporary jazz and high-level instrumental ensembles
- World music with Mediterranean, African, and South American roots
- Blues, soul, and funk derivations
- Vocal projects and unique collaborations between Italian and international musicians
Serre and the Alburni Mountains
Serre is located in the province of Salerno, in Campania, at the entrance to the Sele Plain and at the gates of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The area is known for the Persano Oasis along the Sele River, for the karst landscapes of the Alburni — often called the «Dolomites of the South» — and for a gastronomy that combines the products of the plains with those of the mountains: buffalo mozzarella, Paestum artichokes, cheeses, cured meats, and extra virgin olive oil from the surrounding hills.
Why it's worth the trip
First-time visitors discover that the artistic quality is by no means proportional to the size of the village. Over the years, the festival has hosted world-class musicians in a setting where there are no ticket offices, no barriers, and the relationship with the artists remains direct. It is also an excellent opportunity to combine music with a few days of sightseeing between Paestum, the archaeological excavations, the Castelcivita caves, and the villages of the Alburni. Free admission makes the event accessible to everyone, including families.
Tips for the evening
Concerts generally start between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM and continue until late at night. It is advisable to arrive a little early to secure a seat in the square and park easily in the surrounding streets. A light sweater is useful: even though it is August, the air cools down in the evening at the foot of the Alburni. During the festival days, the village's restaurants remain open until late.
Alburni World Jazz — edition 2026
Four evenings of jazz, roots, and fusion
The 2026 edition of the Alburni World Jazz Festival confirms the formula that has made the Serre festival recognizable in the province of Salerno: a few carefully curated concerts, all with free admission in Piazza Ennio D'Aniello. The program, signed by the artistic direction of Amedeo and Gino Ariano, unfolds over four dates — August 5, 6, 7, and 27 — structured as a journey through contemporary jazz, its roots, and the most current musical influences.
It starts on Wednesday, August 5, with a double bill: at 9:00 PM, the Gerinha project by Gerardina Tesauro with special guest Dario Deidda, followed at 10:00 PM by Brazilian guitarist Toninho Horta together with the Nicola Stilo Quartet. Thursday, August 6, features the Javier Girotto New Direction Quintet with Vince Abbracciante, a meeting between the Argentine saxophone and the Apulian accordion. On Friday, August 7, Gegè Telesforo takes the stage with his Jazz Radio Sextet. The festival concludes on Thursday, August 27, with the Sergio Cammariere Sextet.
As per tradition, the Alburni Mountains serve as both backdrop and metaphor: a meeting place for different cultures, languages, and musical visions in the heart of inland Campania.
Programme Alburni World Jazz 2026
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 — Piazza Ennio D'Aniello
- 9:00 PM — Gerinha (Gerardina Tesauro) + special guest Dario Deidda
- 10:00 PM — Toninho Horta & Nicola Stilo Quartet
Thursday, August 6, 2026
- 10:00 PM — Javier Girotto New Direction Quintet feat. Vince Abbracciante
Friday, August 7, 2026
- 10:00 PM — Gegè Telesforo — Jazz Radio Sextet
Thursday, August 27, 2026
- 10:00 PM — Sergio Cammariere Sextet
Artistic direction: Amedeo Ariano and Gino Ariano. All concerts are held outdoors in Piazza Ennio D'Aniello, in Serre (SA). The program is subject to change: it is recommended to check the official festival channels before traveling.
Highlights Alburni World Jazz 2026
- Toninho Horta & Nicola Stilo Quartet: the guitarist from Belo Horizonte, one of the most refined voices in Brazilian music, in dialogue with the flute and guitar of Nicola Stilo.
- Javier Girotto New Direction Quintet feat. Vince Abbracciante: the saxophone of Argentine Girotto meets the accordion of Abbracciante, blending tango, jazz, and Mediterranean sounds.
- Gegè Telesforo — Jazz Radio Sextet: groove, scat, and African-American culture with one of the most beloved promoters of Italian jazz.
- Sergio Cammariere Sextet: the closing night on August 27, featuring singer-songwriter style and jazz improvisation.
- All evenings are free and take place outdoors in the village center.
Prices Alburni World Jazz 2026
Practical information — Alburni World Jazz
Location
Piazza Ennio D'Aniello, in the center of Serre (SA), ZIP code 84028, province of Salerno, Campania.
How to get there
By car: from the A2 del Mediterraneo motorway, take the Campagna/Eboli exit, then follow the SS 19 and provincial roads towards Serre (about 25 minutes). From Salerno, it is approximately 50 km.
By train: Battipaglia or Eboli station on the Naples-Salerno-Reggio Calabria line, then take a local bus or taxi to Serre.
By plane: Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi Airport (Pontecagnano) is about 40 km away; Naples-Capodichino Airport is about 100 km away.
Admission
Free admission to all evenings, subject to availability of seats in the square.
Where to stay
Agritourisms and bed and breakfasts in the Alburni area (Postiglione, Controne, Sicignano degli Alburni) and hotels on the coast between Paestum and Battipaglia, half an hour away by car.
Things to see nearby
WWF Persano Oasis, Paestum archaeological area, Castelcivita and Pertosa-Auletta caves, and the villages of the Alburni.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Alburni World Jazz
Piazza Ennio D'Aniello