Maxima Jazz Fest

Jazz in the "Blue Village"

The Maxima Jazz Fest is the festival that turns the ancient village of Casamassima, in the province of Bari, into a jazz capital of the south-east Bari area. For several weeks, the streets and squares of the historic center—known throughout Puglia as the "Blue Village" for the distinctive color that paints the walls of its medieval core—host open-air evening concerts, with the evocative Piazza Delfino serving as the main stage.

A cultural project for the region

The festival is promoted by the "Mons. Sante Montanaro" Foundation, under the artistic direction of Giampiero Macino and in collaboration with local entities such as AncheCinema, ViviCasamassima, and the Amadeus Association. The stated goal is to enhance the cultural heritage of the south-east Bari area through the universal language of jazz, offering the public a program that blends established names, young talents, and original projects.

The 2026 edition: a tribute to Davis and Coltrane

The fourth edition, scheduled from May 14 to July 23, 2026, is dedicated to the centenary of the births of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, two figures who changed the history of jazz forever. The program alternates trios and quartets, with projects ranging from avant-garde to pop, rock to South African jazz, and great classics reinterpreted by Apulian musicians.

• May 14 — Mandela's Dream, Piazza Delfino
• May 28 — Claudia Mastrangelo 4tet, "Dryad Project"
• June 11 — VMV Trio, "The Search on Meaning"
• June 21 — More in the Sky 4tet, "Trane & Miles", during the Music Festival
• July 9 — Bruno Montrone Trio, "Unaware Beauty"
• July 23 — Antonello Losacco Trio feat. Michael Rosen, "That Impossible Color", at Castello Caracciolo in Sammichele di Bari

An intimate and high-quality atmosphere

The concerts, generally scheduled for 8:30 PM, take place in a cozy and characteristic setting, where the acoustics of the village squares and the atmosphere of Apulian summer evenings blend with live music. The festival has become a fixed appointment for jazz enthusiasts in Puglia, capable of attracting audiences from across the Metropolitan City of Bari and providing a platform for the rich regional jazz scene.