Lucca Jazz Donna

A festival dedicated to female talent

Lucca Jazz Donna is one of the most distinctive music festivals in the municipality of Lucca and the entire Tuscany region. Founded in 2005 and promoted by the Circolo Lucca Jazz, the festival has a clear and declared goal: to highlight female talent in jazz, a musical genre where women have historically been relegated almost exclusively to the role of solo vocalists. Instead, the stage at Lucca Jazz Donna features instrumentalists, soloists, composers, arrangers, and bandleaders, offering the public a rich and diverse panorama of contemporary jazz.

The venue: the cloister of Santa Caterina at the Real Collegio

The heart of the festival is the cloister of Santa Caterina at the Real Collegio, a stunning historical space in the center of Lucca, where concerts are held on summer evenings starting at 9:15 PM. The intimate setting and the natural acoustics of the cloister make every evening a high-quality, personal experience. Over the years, some special events, such as the final concerts, have also taken place in the Basilica of San Francesco, while spring previews are held at the Teatro Artè in Capannori, just a few kilometers from the provincial capital.

Program and format

The festival is spread over several evenings, each generally hosting two musical projects, creating a lineup that alternates between established names on the national jazz scene and emerging ensembles. The festival's regular offerings include quintets, trios, and original projects ranging from contemporary European jazz to tributes to the great interpreters of the past. The spring evenings at the Teatro Artè anticipate the themes and atmosphere of the summer edition, offering the public a true showcase of the program.

Free admission and a commitment to solidarity

One of the hallmarks of Lucca Jazz Donna is free admission to all concerts, a choice that reflects the cultural and social vocation of the event. The evenings are often associated with a charitable dimension, providing an opportunity to support local organizations. The festival is produced with the support of the Tuscany Region, the Province of Lucca, the municipalities of Lucca and Capannori, and important local foundations such as the Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lucca and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca.

Why attend

• Free concerts in one of the most beautiful historical settings in Lucca
• A lineup entirely dedicated to the leading women of jazz
• A balance between big names and emerging talents
• Spring previews at the Teatro Artè in Capannori
• An event that combines music, culture, and solidarity

For those visiting Lucca and Tuscany during the summer months, Lucca Jazz Donna represents a precious opportunity to discover the best of female jazz in a setting of absolute charm.