Blaq Jam @ Arciliuto

The jazziest Monday night in Rome

In the heart of Rome's historic center, tucked away in a small square behind Piazza Navona, Blaq Jam has become the go-to Monday night destination for the city's musicians. Every week, all year round, the stage at Arciliuto opens to anyone who wants to play or sing. There is no setlist; every note is born in the moment through interplay, improvisation, and shared energy. It is a simple formula, as old as jazz itself, finding one of its most authentic homes here in Rome.

A historic theater reborn as a jazz club

Arciliuto was founded in 1967 by poet and musician Enzo Samaritani, who for decades turned it into a temple of musical poetry, niche theater, and refined jazz. The venue occupies the Renaissance-era Palazzo Chiovenda, once the Roman residence of Raphael, built upon the remains of a 2nd-century Roman villa. It features a stunning architectural layering designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi, a pupil of Raphael and a pioneer of illusionistic theatrical scenography.

Since 2025, the venue has been reborn as Arciliuto 1967 under the new artistic direction of Sara Della Porta, alongside Terrance Caviness and Giorgio Monoscalco. Today, two intimate rooms host a program ranging from broad-spectrum jazz to electronic, funk, rock tributes, singer-songwriter nights, and theater workshops. The Monday night Blaq Jam and the swing nights have become the two cornerstones of this new chapter.

How the jam works

The evening is led by the house band, featuring Pietro Caroleo on the Hammond organ, Andrea Colella on bass, and Alessio Sbrolli on drums. The trio opens the night with a set of swing and groove, then the stage is open to anyone who wants to join. Instrumentalists, singers, established professionals, and emerging talents take turns until late at night, in formations that change from song to song.

• Complimentary pasta dinner at 8:30 PM to start the evening together
• Live music starting at 10:00 PM
• Stage open to musicians and singers of all levels
• Standard jazz, blues, soul, and funk repertoire
• Kitchen and cocktail bar service throughout the evening

The context: Rome and its jazz scene

The Metropolitan City of Rome, in the Lazio region, hosts one of Italy's most vibrant jazz scenes, complete with historic clubs, conservatories, and an international community of musicians. Jam sessions play a central role in this ecosystem: they are where people meet, bands are formed, and young talents are tested in front of a real audience. Blaq Jam fits into a circuit that now covers every day of the week in the city, claiming Monday—traditionally the quietest night—and filling it with music.

More than just a jam

The rest of the week, Arciliuto offers a packed schedule of concerts, with prominent Italian and international guests who have recently included the Seamus Blake Quartet, Jerry Weldon, Roberto Gatto, and Battista Lena, as well as swing ensembles like the Emanuele Urso orchestra. Those who discover the club on a Monday night will easily find a reason to return on other days.

Who it's for

Blaq Jam is designed for both musicians and the audience. Musicians will find a real stage, a solid rhythm section, and a welcoming environment. Listeners will experience an evening that is always different, unpredictable, and unfiltered, set in a room with Renaissance charm that few cities in the world can offer. The atmosphere is informal, and the setting, just meters from Piazza Navona, makes it the perfect evening for those visiting Rome who are looking for something more authentic than the tourist traps in the center.