Jazz Idea - Santa Cecilia Conservatory Festival

Jazz at the heart of the Conservatory

Jazz Idea is the jazz music festival promoted by the Santa Cecilia Conservatory of Music in Rome, one of the oldest and most prestigious musical institutions in Italy. Housed in the Sala Accademica at Via dei Greci 18, in the heart of the capital's historic center just a few steps from the Spanish Steps, the event brings jazz within the walls of an institution historically linked to classical music, creating a fruitful bridge between academic tradition and contemporary languages.

The festival was born with a clear vision: to make the Sala Accademica a meeting space between the great masters of Italian and European jazz and the young talents of the Conservatory's Jazz Department. It is a precious opportunity for students, who share the stage with established artists, and for the Roman public, who can attend high-level concerts for free.

The 2026 fifth edition

The 2026 edition, the fifth of the festival, runs from March 8th to May 17th with twelve free-entry concerts, all on Sundays at 6:00 PM, and four masterclasses. The artistic direction is entrusted to singer and professor Carla Marcotulli, who has curated a program rich in world premieres, tributes, and original projects.

Among the most anticipated events are the duo between French clarinetist Louis Sclavis, one of the greatest names in European jazz, and double bassist Daniele Roccato; the tribute to Ornette Coleman by Rosario Giuliani and Fabrizio Bosso; the "Django's Way" project dedicated to manouche jazz; and the closing concert on May 17th, featuring Carla Marcotulli and pianist Marcello Tonolo in "Legrand Romance," with a grand finale by Fernando Ramsés Díaz and the Santa Cecilia Jazz Orchestra. The stage will also feature Jonis Bascir, Rita Marcotulli, Gabriel Marciano, Mike Applebaum, and many others.

The masterclasses

Alongside the concerts, the festival offers a series of masterclasses held by prominent figures: Louis Sclavis, flutist Nicola Stilo with the seminar "New York-Rio De Janeiro," Fiorenza Gherardi De Candei on professional organization and self-production, and Eugenio Renzetti. The sessions are free for Conservatory students and open to the public for a fee of 20 euros.

A festival for Rome

With its free-entry format and high-quality programming, Jazz Idea has established itself as one of the most significant spring events in the Roman jazz scene. The festival highlights the role of the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in the cultural life of Rome and the entire Lazio region, offering the city a journey that intertwines education, research, and live performance, while returning the vitality of a musical scene in constant dialogue between generations to the public.