Sicilia Jazz Festival

The orchestral jazz festival in Sicily

The Sicilia Jazz Festival is one of the most significant musical events in Southern Italy and stands as the only festival in the world entirely dedicated to orchestral jazz productions. Promoted by the Sicilian Regional Government through the Department of Tourism, Sport and Entertainment, with artistic consultancy from the Fondazione The Brass Group, the festival has made its home in the City of Palermo, the capital of Sicily, while also spreading its concerts to other locations across the island.

The Orchestra Jazz Siciliana takes center stage

The beating heart of the festival is the Orchestra Jazz Siciliana (OJS), a permanent big band that accompanies world-class guest soloists each year in original productions created specifically for the event. The arrangements and conducting are led by musicians such as Domenico Riina, Vito Giordano, and Antonino Pedone, guardians of the orchestral tradition that has made the Palermo jazz school famous.

Venues of history and beauty

The main stage is the stunning Teatro di Verdura, an open-air theater nestled in the gardens of Villa Castelnuovo, but the festival also brings life to numerous iconic sites in Palermo's historic center:

• Real Teatro Santa Cecilia, the historic home of the Brass Group
• Complesso Monumentale di Santa Maria dello Spasimo
• Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri, an ancient noble residence
• the Botanical Garden, a magnificent natural setting

The major productions also reach other Sicilian locations of great landscape and archaeological value, such as Villa Bellini in Catania and the Archaeological Park of Selinunte.

A widespread program

In addition to the major evening concerts at the Verdura, the festival offers the Jazz Village, a dense schedule featuring around a hundred events including jam sessions, concerts by resident artists, and performances by young talents from the five Sicilian Conservatories (Palermo, Catania, Messina, Trapani, and Ribera). There is also space for international exchange with the World Jazz Network, which brings together organizers and musicians from over forty countries in Palermo, turning the city into a crossroads of world jazz.

An identity-defining event for Sicily

Established in 2021, the Sicilia Jazz Festival has quickly become a landmark of the Sicilian cultural summer, successfully blending major international jazz names, the promotion of the island's musical heritage, and a commitment to youth education. It is an event that transforms Palermo and Sicily into an international stage, showcasing the welcoming and cosmopolitan soul of the island.