Don Ray Club - Solo di Giovedì
The community music series at the Don Ray Club in Melissano
About Solo di Giovedì
The Don Ray Club, a musical space in the heart of Salento
In Melissano, a small town in the province of Lecce in lower Salento, the Don Ray Club was founded in 2025 as a meeting place dedicated to live music and community. It is housed in Palazzo Santaloja, on Via Leonardo da Vinci at the corner of Via Sicilia, which also hosts the Junior Band Association. The club's name is a tribute to Donato Manco, a musician from Melissano known as 'Don Ray', whose memory inspires the project's community spirit.
«Solo di Giovedì», the concert series
At the heart of the programming is the «Solo di Giovedì» series, a cycle of concerts that brings Thursday evenings to life every spring with intimate, small-scale performances. The artistic direction is managed by the Camerata Musicale Salentina, a historic local concert institution, in collaboration with the Junior Band APS Association of Melissano. The program ranges from jazz to singer-songwriter music, from soul to tributes to the great performers of the 20th century, showcasing both local Salento musicians and nationally renowned guests.
A community project
More than just a concert season, «Solo di Giovedì» is designed as a community music space, open to the public and created to provide a place for listening and sonic culture accessible to all. The solo or small-ensemble concert format allows for a direct and close connection between artists and the audience, in an informal yet high-quality artistic setting.
Melissano and lower Salento
Located between Casarano and the Ionian coast, Melissano is an agricultural village in southern Puglia known for its winemaking tradition. The Don Ray Club series represents an important cultural landmark for the area, capable of bringing great music to a town off the beaten path and involving the local community in a high-quality artistic endeavor.
Useful information
- Where: Don Ray Club, Palazzo Santaloja, Via Leonardo da Vinci corner of Via Sicilia, Melissano (LE)
- When: Between March and May, every Thursday evening
- Organizers: Junior Band APS Association and Camerata Musicale Salentina
- Genre: Jazz, singer-songwriter, soul, 20th-century music
Solo di Giovedì — edition 2026
The second season of the «Solo di Giovedì» series at the Don Ray Club in Melissano took place between March 26 and May 7, 2026, at Palazzo Santaloja. After the free opening night featuring the band Città del Capo on March 26, the program continued with a cycle of four concerts ranging from jazz to singer-songwriter music, starting at 8:15 PM.
Among the most anticipated moments were the tribute to Charlie Parker, «The Legend of Bird», and the tribute to Nina Simone, «Feelin' Good with Nina», alongside the show «Io e Gaber» by Luigi Mariano and a solo recital by Michele Cortese. The programming was curated by the Camerata Musicale Salentina in partnership with the Junior Band APS Association.
Programme Solo di Giovedì 2026
- Thursday, March 26, 8:00 PM - Opening night with Città del Capo (free admission)
- Thursday, April 9 - «The Legend of Bird», tribute to Charlie Parker with Francesco La Viola (sax), Giancarlo Del Vitto (guitar), and Michele Colaci (double bass)
- Thursday, April 16 - «Feelin' Good with Nina», tribute to Nina Simone with Silvia Manco (vocals and piano) and Marco Bardoscia (double bass)
- Thursday, April 23 - «Io e Gaber», Luigi Mariano (vocals, guitar, and piano) performing the repertoire of Giorgio Gaber
- Thursday, May 7 - «Cortese in solo», recital by Michele Cortese
Highlights Solo di Giovedì 2026
Prices Solo di Giovedì 2026
Practical information — Solo di Giovedì
How to get there
The Don Ray Club is located in Palazzo Santaloja, on Via Leonardo da Vinci at the corner of Via Sicilia in Melissano (LE), in lower Salento. By car, it can be reached via the state road connecting Casarano and Ugento; the nearest train station is served by the Ferrovie del Sud Est.
Tickets
Concerts in the «Solo di Giovedì» series generally start at 8:15 PM. Tickets are available at the Camerata Musicale Salentina office, online, and at Vivaticket sales points. Some events, such as the opening nights, offer free admission.
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Where does it take place — Solo di Giovedì
Don Ray Club - Palazzo Santaloja
Via Leonardo da Vinci, angolo Via Sicilia, 73040 Melissano