International Jazz Day - Jazz & Swing in the Village

Jazz arrives in the Iblei Mountains

Every year on April 30th, the small village of Buccheri — a gem of the Iblei Mountains in the province of Syracuse, in the heart of south-eastern Sicily — joins the global celebrations for International Jazz Day with an event titled "Jazz & Swing in the Village." The festival brings the great tradition of jazz, swing, and blues to the town's streets and its Municipal Theatre, transforming this corner of the Iblei range into an international stage for one night.

A day established by UNESCO

International Jazz Day was officially established by UNESCO in November 2011, at the initiative of legendary pianist Herbie Hancock, as a tool for intercultural dialogue, peace, and social inclusion. Every April 30th, the occasion involves over 190 countries worldwide. In Buccheri, the initiative is part of the official circuit promoted by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, and is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Buccheri.

The Baciami Piccina Swing Band Association

The event is promoted and organized by the Baciami Piccina Swing Band Musical Association, a local non-profit organization that has been active for years in artistic training and spreading jazz culture throughout the Iblei region. The project, led by president Silvana Cutrale, was created to showcase the village and its extraordinary cultural heritage, support human rights and gender equality as promoted by UNESCO, and strengthen the deep bond between music, young musicians, and the entire community.

Live music at the Municipal Theatre

The heart of the evening is the Municipal Theatre in Piazza XXIV Maggio, where a live fusion of blues, jazz, and swing is performed by local bands, musicians, and talent. The stage features the Baciami Piccina Swing Band as the host group, alongside The Jazz Dudes and the Revolution Blues Band, with segments dedicated to the sounds of the 1940s-60s. There is also a dedicated space for young artists, designed to offer the next generation of local talent a valuable opportunity to perform live.

A village to discover

Visiting Buccheri during International Jazz Day also means discovering one of the most evocative villages in the Iblei, immersed in a landscape of forests and plateaus that has earned it the reputation of an "Oasis of well-being." The musical evening is part of a spring calendar full of events, offering residents and visitors a chance to experience culture, art, and conviviality in an authentic setting in the province of Syracuse.