Ravenna Jazz
The oldest jazz festival in Italy, between the Alighieri Theatre and Rocca Brancaleone
About Ravenna Jazz
The oldest jazz festival in Italy
When you talk about jazz in Ravenna, you're talking about history. Founded in 1974, Ravenna Jazz is the longest-running jazz festival in our country and one of the reference events on the entire European scene. Organized by the Jazz Network association within the large regional Crossroads circuit, it brings the best of international jazz to the Byzantine capital, in the province of Ravenna and in Emilia-Romagna, from the great masters to the new generations of virtuosos.
2026: the "expanded" edition
The 53rd edition in 2026 marks a turning point. For the first time, the festival is doubling: the traditional spring core, taking place from May 2nd to 10th mainly at the Teatro Dante Alighieri, is joined by a new summer extension with three events on July 1st, 3rd, and 9th. The big news is the return to the Rocca Brancaleone, the Venetian fortress that was the festival's summer home for decades and which, after a major restoration, finally reopens for concerts, once again becoming the symbolic setting for the event.
The great protagonists
The most anticipated moment of 2026 is the return of American guitarist Pat Metheny, in concert at the Rocca on July 3rd with the new project Side-Eye III+. Alongside him, the summer extension features two masters of the six-string and groove: Palermo-born guitarist Matteo Mancuso, among the most celebrated talents of his generation, and American bassist and singer Nik West. The spring section at the Alighieri Theatre, on the other hand, offers refined projects such as Mauro Ottolini's "Nada MÃ s Fuerte" for the voice of Vanessa Tagliabue Yorke, the piano of Bill Laurance, Maria Pia De Vito's tribute to Chico Buarque, and the Italian Jazz Orchestra dedicated to Nat King Cole.
Not just concerts
Ravenna Jazz is also about territory and training. The Jazz Club series brings the most curious and innovative proposals to the intimate spaces of clubs and small theaters in the city and its surroundings — from the Teatro Socjale in Piangipane to the Cisim in Lido Adriano. The educational project Pazzi di Jazz involves hundreds of young musicians, choirs, and orchestras every year, while the Mister Jazz workshops open the stage to students and enthusiasts.
A festival with its own legend
2026 also marks a special anniversary: forty years since the historic concert that Astor Piazzolla held at Ravenna Jazz in 1986, with Gary Burton. The event is celebrated on July 1st at the Rocca with the Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra, testifying to how deep the roots of this festival are in Italian musical memory.
Ravenna Jazz — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the 53rd in its history, expands its calendar across two seasons for the first time. The spring part (May 2-10) focuses on the Teatro Dante Alighieri and the city's jazz clubs, while the absolute novelty is the summer extension (July 1, 3, 9) which brings the festival back to the Rocca Brancaleone, after the restoration of the historic fortress. The highlight is the return of Pat Metheny, joined by virtuosos Matteo Mancuso and Nik West.
Programme Ravenna Jazz 2026
May — Teatro Alighieri and Jazz Clubs
- May 2nd — Mauro Ottolini "Nada Màs Fuerte" with the voice of Vanessa Tagliabue Yorke (Teatro Alighieri)
- May 3rd — Grand finale of "Pazzi di Jazz", tribute to Ray Charles with youth choirs and orchestra (Teatro Alighieri, free admission)
- May 5th — Bill Laurance Piano Solo
- May 6th — Petra Magoni
- May 7th — Davide Shorty
- May 8th — Maria Pia De Vito, tribute to Chico Buarque
- May 9th — "Mister Jazz" workshop with Maria Pia De Vito (sound, body, presence, spontaneity)
- May 10th — Italian Jazz Orchestra conducted by Fabio Petretti, tribute to Nat King Cole with soloists Flavio Boltro and Walter Ricci (Teatro Alighieri)
July — Rocca Brancaleone
- July 1st — Tribute to Astor Piazzolla on the 40th anniversary of the 1986 concert: Luigi Cherubini Youth Orchestra with the bandoneon of Daniele di Bonaventura and the vibraphone of Daniele Di Gregorio, with the participation of Massimo Recalcati (Ravenna Festival production co-promoted by Ravenna Jazz)
- July 3rd — Pat Metheny with the Side-Eye III+ project
- July 9th — Double bill: Matteo Mancuso's trio (Route96 Tour) and Nik West's quintet
Club concerts are held at the Teatro Socjale in Piangipane, the Cisim in Lido Adriano, and other city venues.
Highlights Ravenna Jazz 2026
The return of Pat Metheny to Rocca Brancaleone (July 3rd), the double bill with Matteo Mancuso and Nik West (July 9th), and the tribute to Astor Piazzolla on the 40th anniversary of his historic Ravenna concert (July 1st).
Prices Ravenna Jazz 2026
Practical information — Ravenna Jazz
How to get there
The Teatro Dante Alighieri is located at Via Angelo Mariani 2, in the historic center of Ravenna, a short walk from the train station. The Rocca Brancaleone (Via Rocca Brancaleone 35) is also in the city center. By car, Ravenna is served by the A14 motorway (Ravenna exit) and the E45.
Tickets
Concerts are ticketed, with tickets and season tickets on sale through the Alighieri Theatre box office and online circuits. Some events, such as the finale of "Pazzi di Jazz" on May 3rd, are free admission. For information: Jazz Network, tel. +39 0544 405666, [email protected].
Venues
Teatro Dante Alighieri, Rocca Brancaleone, Teatro Socjale di Piangipane, Cisim di Lido Adriano, and other city clubs.
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Where does it take place — Ravenna Jazz
Teatro Dante Alighieri / Rocca Brancaleone
Via Angelo Mariani 2, 48121 Ravenna