Aquilonia Jazz Fest

The first edition of the Aquilonia Jazz Fest

The festival opened on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Casa della Cultura, with Mayor Antonio Caputo and artistic director Antonio Onorato. In the evening, the Midnight jazz bar on Corso Vittorio Emanuele inaugurated the series of jam sessions with a duo featuring trumpeter Rocco Melillo and pianist Michele Di Martino.

The three main concerts were held from August 8 to 10 at 9:30 PM, between Piazza Marconi and Largo Belvedere: guitarist Gigi Cifarelli, accordionist Rita Di Tizio, and finally Antonio Onorato with his Neapolitan avant-garde project, accompanied by saxophonist Pasquale Innarella, who was awarded the "Aquilonia Jazz Fest 2025 Prize."

Every afternoon at 5:30 PM, there was space for books: Fabio Mariani with "Chord melody. Jazz standard," Carmine Aymone with his volume on Pino Daniele, and Paolo Romano with "A bordo palco." At the end of the festival, the artistic director thanked the audience and announced the start of work for the second edition.

Thursday, August 7 — 5:30 PM, Casa della Cultura: inauguration with Mayor Antonio Caputo and artistic director Antonio Onorato; in the evening, Midnight jazz bar (Corso Vittorio Emanuele) with Rocco Melillo (trumpet) and Michele Di Martino (piano). Friday, August 8 — 5:30 PM, Town Hall: presentation of "Chord melody. Jazz standard" by Fabio Mariani; 9:30 PM: concert by guitarist Gigi Cifarelli. Saturday, August 9 — 5:30 PM: meeting with Carmine Aymone about his book dedicated to Pino Daniele; 9:30 PM: concert by accordionist Rita Di Tizio. Sunday, August 10 — 5:30 PM: presentation of "A bordo palco" by Paolo Romano; 9:30 PM: Antonio Onorato with guest saxophonist Pasquale Innarella, "Aquilonia Jazz Fest 2025 Prize." Every night until 2 AM, jam sessions at the Midnight jazz bar led by trumpeter Rocco Melillo.

• Inaugural concert by guitarist Gigi Cifarelli in Piazza Marconi.
• Rita Di Tizio on the accordion, with a tribute to Astor Piazzolla.
• Antonio Onorato and saxophonist Pasquale Innarella, "Aquilonia Jazz Fest 2025 Prize."
• Daily jam sessions until 2 AM at the Midnight jazz bar.
• Three book presentations and the marching band parading through the village streets.