Jaci&Jazz – Acireale Jazz Festival

Emerging jazz beneath the Baroque architecture of Acireale

Every year at the end of June, the magnificent Piazza Duomo in Acireale—the heart of the 'city of a hundred bell towers' in the province of Catania—becomes the natural stage for the Jaci&Jazz – Acireale Jazz Festival. Against the scenic backdrop of the Cathedral and historic palaces, the public can enjoy three free evenings dedicated to jazz, with a special focus on young talents from conservatories across Italy and prestigious international institutions.

A festival born for conservatories

The festival is organized by the Sajamastra Cultural Association and artistically directed by saxophonist and composer Antonio Marangolo, a historic figure in Italian jazz and a long-time collaborator of Francesco Guccini. The festival has grown with each edition to become a landmark event for the jazz scene in Eastern Sicily, successfully blending academic training with live performance in a stunning urban setting.

The Academy Contest

The true heart of the festival is the Jaci&Jazz Academy Contest, a competition featuring six bands selected from Italian and international conservatories and music academies (AFAM). The ensembles perform during the first two evenings before a jury of experts, who award prizes for the best band, best composition, and best soloist. It is a rare showcase on the national scene, distinguished by its international scope and competitive format designed to give visibility to emerging musicians.

Three days of free music

The evenings, with free admission, alternate between performances by competing bands and sets by established artists. The third evening is traditionally reserved for a major guest or a nationally acclaimed ensemble, closing the festival in the square before a large audience. The combination of Acireale's monumental setting, the technical quality of the young bands, and the accessibility of the free event makes Jaci&Jazz one of the most appreciated summer musical events in the province of Catania and all of Sicily.

Acireale, a city of Baroque and jazz

Overlooking the Ionian Sea and at the foot of Mount Etna, Acireale is famous for its Baroque architecture, its carnival, and its thermal baths. With Jaci&Jazz, the city adds a musical vocation to its cultural identity, attracting enthusiasts and curious visitors from across the region to animate summer evenings with the sounds of jazz in the charming historic center.