Grey Cat Jazz Festival

A jazz festival in the heart of the Maremma

The Grey Cat Festival is one of the oldest and most prestigious jazz events in Tuscany. Founded in 1980 and organized by the Associazione Music Pool, it has been enlivening the summer of the Grosseto Maremma for over forty years with a widespread calendar that touches dozens of municipalities in the province of Grosseto. The beating heart of the event is Follonica, where the "Follonica plays jazz" section transforms the Giardino ex Casello Idraulico and the Arena Le Ferriere into meeting places for enthusiasts and curious listeners alike.

The 2026 Edition

From July 24 to August 19, 2026, the festival offers a packed program of concerts alternating between big names in Italian jazz and international guests. Announced artists include Paolo Fresu, Danilo Rea, Rita Marcotulli, Gavino Murgia, Antonello Salis, and Simone Zanchini, alongside world-renowned figures such as Indian percussionist Trilok Gurtu, American pianist Joey Calderazzo, and Frenchman Pierre de Bethmann. The festival also dedicates significant space to young talent and local ensembles.

Maremma Venues

The strength of the Grey Cat lies in its itinerant nature: concerts take place in fascinating locations scattered throughout the province of Grosseto and its surroundings. Venues for the 2026 edition include:

• Follonica — Arena Le Ferriere and Giardino ex Casello Idraulico
• Scarlino — Rocca Pisana
• Gavorrano — Ravi Marchi Mines
• Massa Marittima — Norma Parenti Gardens
• Suvereto — San Francesco Cloister
• Monterotondo Marittimo — Rocca degli Alberti
• Marina di Grosseto — Forte di San Rocco

Follonica plays jazz

On July 30, 2026, starting at 9:00 PM, the Giardino ex Casello Idraulico in Follonica hosts an intimate performance with Marco Piccirillo on double bass, Aleksandra Asya on vocals, Andrea Gozzi on guitar, and Fred Peloquin on accordion. Admission to this concert is 5 euros, a formula that makes great music accessible to everyone.

Music, nature, and the local area

More than just a festival, the Grey Cat is an experience that links music to the Maremma landscape: medieval fortresses, abandoned mines, cloisters, gardens, and stretches of coastline become natural stages. The artistic direction, led by saxophonist Stefano "Cocco" Cantini, has built a recognizable identity over the years, capable of showcasing both international excellence and the Tuscan jazz scene. For the Tuscany Region and the Municipality of Follonica, the festival represents a major cultural highlight that defines the entire Maremma summer.