Pompei Inn Jazz
Free jazz evenings in Piazza Schettini, in the heart of Pompeii
About Pompei Inn Jazz
Signature jazz in the heart of Pompeii
Every July, Piazza Schettini, in the center of Pompeii, transforms for a few evenings into an open-air stage dedicated to jazz. Pompei Inn Jazz is a festival born from the passion of Gianpiero De Honestis, a lawyer and musician who serves as its creator and artistic director. Over the years, it has established itself as one of the most anticipated events of the Vesuvian summer. The festival is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Pompeii, in the province of Naples, in the heart of Campania.
A simple formula: artistic quality and free admission
The festival's hallmark is its total free admission. There are no tickets or reservations: you arrive in the square, take a seat, and listen. This is a choice championed by the organizers as an integral part of the project, as it allows for inclusive participation, bringing together jazz enthusiasts, local families, passing tourists, and curious music lovers. It is not uncommon for the square to fill up before the first set begins, with the audience staying until late at night.
A program balancing tradition and exploration
The lineup balances original productions, tributes, and crossover projects. Evenings are generally structured around two consecutive concerts, offering two different perspectives on the jazz language in a single night. Recurring themes of the festival include:
- Contemporary instrumental jazz, often featuring newly released albums by Italian musicians;
- Tributes to Neapolitan music and its legends, featuring performers who have shaped its history;
- Gypsy jazz and manouche, following the tradition of Django Reinhardt;
- Mediterranean and South American influences, with projects expanding the repertoire toward world music;
- International guests, invited to perform alongside resident Italian ensembles.
The evenings are hosted by radio personality Franco Simeri, who introduces the musicians and guides the audience through the scheduled projects: a detail that gives the festival an educational tone, suitable even for those approaching jazz for the first time.
Piazza Schettini, the living room of the Pompeian summer
The choice of venue is no coincidence. Piazza Schettini is one of the main meeting points in the center of Pompeii, just a short walk from the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary and the city's commercial area. Bringing the stage here means returning music to an urban, shared dimension: concerts are enjoyed while seated, but also standing at the edges of the square or from the tables of nearby cafes. The open-air acoustics and the mild temperatures of July evenings complete the atmosphere.
Pompeii, much more than the Ruins
Visitors almost always come to Pompeii for the Archaeological Park, one of the most visited sites in the world, and for the Marian Shrine that attracts pilgrims from all over Italy every year. The festival tells the story of another Pompeii: that of a living city, its 25,000 inhabitants, and a summer cultural program that goes beyond mere tourism. For visitors staying a night in the area, an evening at Pompei Inn Jazz is the most natural way to end a day spent between the Roman domus and the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.
Who is behind the festival
The festival is promoted by Gianpiero De Honestis, who balances his legal profession with his musical practice, and relies on the support of the Pompeii municipal administration. The continuity over time—more than a decade of consecutive editions—and the choice to remain free have made Pompei Inn Jazz a benchmark among jazz festivals in Southern Italy, capable of attracting top-tier names while maintaining strong roots in the Vesuvian territory.
Pompei Inn Jazz — edition 2026
Three evenings, five concerts, free admission
The fourteenth edition of Pompei Inn Jazz took place from Thursday, July 16 to Saturday, July 18, 2026, in Piazza Schettini, in the center of Pompeii, under the patronage of the Municipality. Five concerts were on the program, all free and without reservation, presented by radio host Franco Simeri.
The artistic direction of Gianpiero De Honestis built a lineup alternating recent discographic productions, tributes to the Neapolitan tradition, and forays into the manouche repertoire. According to local reports, the square remained full on all three evenings, with hundreds of spectators.
The three evenings
The first evening combined the instrumental jazz of the Luigi Del Prete Trio, presenting their album Pangea, and the tribute to Pino Daniele by some of his historic collaborators. The second evening was dedicated to international jazz, featuring the Giuseppe Venezia 5tet and British guest Quentin Collins. The closing night, Saturday the 18th, featured the South American atmospheres of the Andrea Rea Trio and the gypsy jazz of Leila Duclos with the Django Moods.
The value of free access
The Mayor of Pompeii, Giuseppe Tortora, defined the festival as a refined tribute to jazz and a pillar of the Pompeian summer. The organizers confirmed the choice of free admission as a core identity of the project, designed to ensure inclusive participation and a real connection with the local community.
Programme Pompei Inn Jazz 2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026 — Piazza Schettini
- 8:45 PM — Luigi Del Prete Trio feat. Daniele Scannapieco: presentation of the debut album Pangea. Featuring Andrea Santaniello (saxophones), Aldo Capasso (bass), and Luigi Del Prete (drums), with the participation of saxophonist Daniele Scannapieco.
- 10:15 PM — Friends for Pino: tribute to Pino Daniele with Gigi De Rienzo (bass), Ernesto Vitolo (piano and keyboards), and the participation of percussionist Tony Esposito. The concert alternates music and stories from the musicians who accompanied the Neapolitan artist.
Friday, July 17, 2026 — Piazza Schettini
- 9:00 PM — Giuseppe Venezia 5tet feat. Quentin Collins: tracks from the album I've Been Waiting for You. On stage: Attilio Troiano (sax and flute), Andrea Candela (piano), Elio Coppola (drums), and British trumpeter Quentin Collins.
Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Piazza Schettini
- 8:45 PM — Andrea Rea Trio: the pianist presents El Viajero, a work with strong South American influences, with Francesco Puglisi (double bass) and Lorenzo Tucci (drums).
- 10:15 PM — Leila Duclos & Django Moods: gypsy jazz, chanson française, and original compositions with the Paris-based singer and guitarist, accompanied by Massimo Barrella (guitar), Osvaldo Costabile (violin), and Francesco Gàlatro (double bass).
All evenings were hosted by Franco Simeri. Free admission.
Highlights Pompei Inn Jazz 2026
- 14th edition of the festival, from July 16 to 18, 2026, in Piazza Schettini.
- Five concerts over three evenings, all with free admission and no reservation required.
- Friends for Pino: tribute to Pino Daniele with Gigi De Rienzo, Ernesto Vitolo, and Tony Esposito.
- Quentin Collins, British trumpeter, guest of the Giuseppe Venezia 5tet.
- Leila Duclos & Django Moods for the closing night dedicated to gypsy jazz.
- Live presentations of three recent albums: Pangea, I've Been Waiting for You, and El Viajero.
Prices Pompei Inn Jazz 2026
Practical information — Pompei Inn Jazz
Where it takes place
Concerts are held in Piazza Schettini, in the center of Pompeii (NA), Campania. Some side events have taken place in the past at Pompei Lab, on Via Astolelle.
How to get there
- By train: Circumvesuviana EAV, Naples–Sorrento line, Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri stop, or Naples–Poggiomarino line, Pompei Santuario stop; Trenitalia, Pompei station on the Naples–Salerno line. The city center is a short walk from the stations.
- By car: A3 Naples–Salerno motorway, Pompei Ovest or Pompei Est exit. On concert nights, it is advisable to leave your car in the paid parking lots near the Ruins and continue on foot.
- By plane: Naples Capodichino Airport, approximately 30 km away.
Admission and times
All concerts are free and do not require reservations. Evenings usually begin between 8:45 PM and 9:00 PM, with a second set around 10:15 PM. Seating is limited: it is best to arrive a little early.
Tips
- July in Pompeii is warm even in the evening: wear light clothing and bring water.
- The city offers hotels, B&Bs, and farmhouses at all price levels, ideal for combining the festival with a visit to the Archaeological Park.
- The program may be subject to changes due to weather conditions: it is advisable to check for updates on the Municipality of Pompeii's channels and local press.
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Where does it take place — Pompei Inn Jazz
Piazza Schettini
Piazza Schettini, 80045 Pompei