Castro Jazz Summer Festival

Signature jazz in Castro, a jewel of lower Salento

The Castro Jazz Summer Festival is the premier summer music event in Castro, a small coastal village in the province of Lecce, in the heart of the Adriatic Salento, Puglia. Every late August, the town transforms into an open-air stage: concerts are held in the most evocative spots of the town, from the Aragonese Castle to the Castle Terrace, and from Piazza Perotti to Piazza Vittoria, with history and the sea providing a stunning backdrop to the jazz notes.

A project born from the passion of the Bud Powell Association

The event is organized by the Bud Powell Jazz Cultural Association of Maglie, which has been active since 2009 in the dissemination and teaching of African American music. Now in its third edition as of 2025, the festival has quickly established itself as a benchmark for local jazz enthusiasts, thanks to artistic direction focused on quality and research. All evening events are free of charge, with the support of the Puglia Regional Council and the Municipality of Castro.

Concerts, jam sessions, and international names

The program alternates concerts by great national and international performers with moments of improvisation and connection. Recent editions have featured artists such as David Linx, Paolo Damiani, Enrico Zanisi, and Marco Colonna, alongside original projects and unique ensembles. Every night, after the main concerts, Piazza Perotti comes alive with open jam sessions, where teachers, students, and visiting musicians play together until late at night.

The Summer School and the Kids' School of Jazz

The educational heart of the festival is the Jazz Summer School, which welcomes young musicians from all over Europe every year: seven instrumental classes, six ensemble workshops, and internationally renowned teachers. The Kids' School of Jazz is also available for younger participants, highlighting the educational mission of the entire event. At the end of the courses, students perform in the festival venues alongside their masters.

An experience blending music, village life, and the sea

Attending Castro Jazz means experiencing jazz in an intimate and authentic setting, strolling through the village walls between concerts. The Walkin' in Castro initiative even offers an itinerant route with live music through archaeological sites, the city walls, and the historic squares. It is an original way to discover Castro, its castle, and the landscape of lower Salento to the rhythm of jazz.