FrassJazz

A night of swing on the Po

Every year, around April 30th, FrassJazz transforms the small village of Frassineto Po, in the Province of Alessandria, into a stage dedicated to big band jazz. The initiative, launched in 2022, celebrates International Jazz Day, an event established by UNESCO and observed simultaneously on April 30th in every corner of the globe. It is a rare opportunity to hear the full, overwhelming sound of a big band live in a setting as intimate and welcoming as a Monferrato town.

The 78 Giri Hot Ensemble

At the heart of the event is the 78 Giri Hot Ensemble, a group of about twenty musicians including saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. The orchestra was conceived in 1999 by the late Mario Saccagno and has been led by conductor Claudio Bianzino since 2008. The repertoire spans the classics of swing and the great American orchestral tradition, from Duke Ellington and Woody Herman to Count Basie, weaving together immortal standards and masterful arrangements.

Organizers

FrassJazz is promoted by the Accademia di Cultura Bernardino Cervis, a historic cultural institution founded in 1986 in Frassineto Po, together with the Municipality of Frassineto Po and the Amici della Musica Association of Casale Monferrato, with the collaboration of the local Pro Loco. Over the years, the concert has become a staple of the town's social and cultural life.

Past editions

Since its 2022 debut with "Arrangers in the Fog," the festival has offered monographic programs: in 2023, a "Journey into the Big Band," and in 2024, the "Sammy 100!" tribute for the centenary of the birth of American arranger Sammy Nestico, a historic pen for Count Basie. Every edition maintains the free admission policy, with limited seating, in the spirit of musical outreach and accessibility for all.

Venue

The main venue for the concert is the Auditorium San Rocco in Frassineto Po, in the Casale Monferrato area, a territory in the Province of Alessandria known for its river landscapes, vineyard-covered hills, and a vibrant network of cultural associations. A small town that, for one night, becomes a jazz capital.