Massimo Urbani International Award

Camerino, the capital of jazz

Every summer, the village of Camerino, in the Province of Macerata, in the heart of the Marche region, becomes the reference point for Italian jazz thanks to the Massimo Urbani International Award (PIMU). It is the most important Italian competition for jazz soloists: an event eagerly awaited by musicians, industry professionals, and enthusiasts, which has been discovering and supporting the new protagonists of this music for thirty years.

The story: in memory of Massimo Urbani

The Award was founded in 1996 in Urbisaglia on the initiative of record producer Paolo Piangiarelli, founder of the Philology label, who wanted to dedicate it to the memory of Massimo Urbani, a Roman saxophonist who passed away prematurely and was considered one of the greatest talents in European jazz. Since 2004, the competition has found its home in Camerino, where it is organized by the Musicamdo Jazz Cultural Association with the support of the Municipality of Camerino and the University of Camerino (Unicam). Since 2007, the Award has taken on the international dimension that characterizes it to this day.

How the competition works

Jazz soloists of any nationality and with any instrument, including voice, can participate in the Award. After a selection based on audio or video material, the finalists are invited to perform live in front of the jury and the audience, accompanied by an exceptional rhythm section. The jury, composed of leading musicians and critics, awards the main prize along with a series of recognitions designed to give the winners real career opportunities.

A springboard for jazz greats

The prestige of the Massimo Urbani Award is measured above all by the names that have launched from here. Among the winners and finalists of past editions are artists who have become protagonists of the Italian and international jazz scene, such as Rosario Giuliani, Gianluca Petrella, Max Ionata, Dino Rubino, Julian Oliver Mazzariello, Alessandro Lanzoni, and Francesco Cafiso. For those who want to discover tomorrow's talents, the evenings at Rocca Borgesca are a precious opportunity.

The setting: Rocca Borgesca

The finals take place in the scenic Rocca Borgesca in Camerino, a Renaissance fortress that dominates the village and offers a unique setting for the evening concerts. The competition is also surrounded by musical aperitifs, late-night jam sessions open to musicians, and moments of encounter that bring the city to life during the festival days.