Sicilian Jazz Composers
Three days of original Sicilian jazz in the heart of the Madonie, in Alia
About Sicilian Jazz Composers
A festival dedicated to original Sicilian jazz
Sicilian Jazz Composers is the annual event that, every late June, transforms Alia—a small town in the province of Palermo, at the gateway to the Madonie mountains—into the capital of contemporary Sicilian jazz. Conceived by drummer Mimmo Cafiero and the Open Jazz Club Association, the festival reached its sixth edition in 2026, establishing itself as a key appointment for the island's original jazz scene.
The festival's philosophy is clear: to promote musical creativity, foster young talent, and spread jazz culture throughout Sicily's interior. This deliberate choice turns Alia into a living music laboratory capable of building connections, breaking down barriers, and creating new opportunities in a village far from the mainstream entertainment circuits.
Free concerts in the village squares
The public heart of the event lies in the evening concerts, hosted with free admission in the squares and streets of Alia. Each night, two groups take the stage, showcasing some of the leading figures in contemporary Sicilian jazz: from quartets and sextets to trios and open bands, culminating in a final ensemble performance that presents the results of the workshop sessions.
An orchestral workshop for young musicians
Beyond the concerts, the festival's educational soul is represented by the intensive orchestral workshop directed by double bassist and composer Nello Toscano. Young musicians from all over Sicily study and rehearse original compositions, which are then performed live during the closing concert. Additionally, educational workshops are held for students of the "Alia Roccapalumba Valledolmo" Comprehensive Institute, guided by the festival's musicians: a day of singing, piano, guitar, and percussion that introduces local youth to the language of jazz.
An event supported by institutions
Sicilian Jazz Composers is realized with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Palermo, and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, alongside the collaboration of the Municipality of Alia. This institutional recognition confirms the value of a project capable of combining high artistic quality, educational vocation, and deep roots in the territory of the province of Palermo, Sicily.
Sicilian Jazz Composers — edition 2026
The 6th edition of Sicilian Jazz Composers enlivens Alia for three evenings, from June 26 to 28, 2026, with a program that intertwines free concerts, training, and education. The festival reaffirms its mission: to bring original Sicilian jazz to the squares of the interior and to train the island's young musicians.
The heart of this edition is the intensive orchestral workshop directed by double bassist and composer Nello Toscano, which brings together young Sicilian musicians to work on original compositions, presented to the public in the final "Patchwork" concert. This is accompanied by four educational workshops aimed at students of the "Alia Roccapalumba Valledolmo" Comprehensive Institute.
Programme Sicilian Jazz Composers 2026
Friday, June 26 — Piazzetta Garibaldi
- 20:45 — Joe Costantino Quartet : Joe Giuseppe Costantino (piano), Giancarlo Canali (flute), Riccardo Lo Bue (double bass), Simone Rosta (drums)
- 21:45 — LIUKE (sextet)
Saturday, June 27 — Via Pile
- 20:45 — duSud (trio) : Anita Vitale (vocals and piano), Rita Collura (flute and saxophones), Sergio Calì (drums and percussion)
- 21:45 — Mimmo Cafiero Open Band : Mimmo Cafiero (drums), Carla Restivo (soprano sax), Stefano D'Anna (tenor sax), Giuseppe Mirabella (electric guitar), Salvatore Bonafede (piano), Stefano India (electric bass)
Sunday, June 28 — Piazza Santa Rosalia
- 21:15 — "Patchwork", the orchestral workshop ensemble directed by Nello Toscano, with the participation of guest soloists
Educational Workshops
Four workshops for students of the "Alia Roccapalumba Valledolmo" Comprehensive Institute: jazz and contemporary singing with Anita Vitale, modern piano with Joe Giuseppe Costantino, contemporary jazz guitar with Giuseppe Mirabella, rhythm and percussion with Sergio Calì.
Highlights Sicilian Jazz Composers 2026
Prices Sicilian Jazz Composers 2026
Practical information — Sicilian Jazz Composers
Where it takes place
Concerts are held in the squares and streets of the historic center of Alia (PA): Piazzetta Garibaldi, Via Pile, and Piazza Santa Rosalia. These are open-air spaces in the heart of the village.
How to get there
Alia is located in the inland area of the province of Palermo, at the gateway to the Madonie. By car, it can be reached via the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway (nearest exit towards the interior) and the provincial Madonie roads. The Roccapalumba-Alia railway station, on the Palermo-Agrigento line, serves the area.
Admission
Evening concerts are free and open to the public.
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Where does it take place — Sicilian Jazz Composers
Piazzetta Garibaldi, Via Pile e Piazza Santa Rosalia