Barga’s iconic Jazz Festival returned once again this year, and as always it has delivered the ultimate ‘summer in style.’ With its grand finale approaching, this guide contains everything you need to know about the event.
Must-Knows
- Sunday, August 17 offers a range of free-admission events, beyond that, most performances required paid entry. Tickets should be bought in advance on the festival’s official website, https://bargajazz.it/bargajazz-2025/
- EnoJazz ‘open session’ is an opportunity to see authentic jazz improvisation in real time
- The penultimate and ultimate concerts, on Fri 22 and Sat 23, showcases the experienced talent of the iconic Barga Jazz Orchestra
- Reduced ticket prices are available for all music school and high school students, at just €3 for all concerts.
Barga’s iconic Jazz Festival returned once again this year, and as always it delivers the ultimate ‘summer in style.’ With its grand finale approaching, this guide contains everything you ne
History of the Festival
Bruno Tommaso and Giancarlo Rizzardi had the idea in 1986 to create an arrangement and composition competition for jazz orchestra, and thus BargaJazz was born. Their vision was that young composers and arrangers would have the opportunity to have their works performed by a professional orchestra – fostering ambition and stimulating production. It is, indeed, a ‘hotbed of new talent.’
The festival, therefore, is an eclectic mix of performances both from established musicians and ambitious newcomers.
Sun. 17 Aug.
Music lovers are spoilt for choice on Sunday, August 17. In Barga’s historic centre, from 5 pm onwards, a traditional travelling street band take to the streets. The energy is sure to be vitalising, a vivacious treat to liven the spirits during a hot summer.
Students from Siena’s prestigious Jazz University will be showcasing their talents elsewhere at the festival. One talented group will be on stage in the Piazza SS Annunziata, the band comprises Maurizio de Gennaro on guitar, Lorenzo Fabbri on drums, Matteo Michelini on saxophone, and Lorenzo Gagna on electric bass.
Maria Cortesi (vocals) and Gabriele De Pasquale (guitar) also of Siena Jazz University, will be playing at Piazza del Sargentone.
At the Piazza Salvo Salvi, The Puppies will be performing, with vocals from Simona Magera, with Claudio Rossi as tenor saxophone, Marco Tommasi on trumpet, Piero Giannotti as alto saxophone, Andrea Lucchesi on piano, Giuseppe Venturi on bass, and Zivago Anchesi on drums.
The Mist Side Quartet will bring its brand of jazz to Piazza Angelio. Paolo Mancini is on trombone, with Zeno Marchi on guitar, Matteo Moscardini on double bass, and Paolo Quattriglia on drums.
One of the highlights of the entire festival, the EnoJazz open session will take place at Piazza del Teatro, featuring Simone Venturi on piano, Leonardo Gnesi on double bass, and Federico Cardelli on drums. Over the years EnoJazz has become a ‘festival within a festival.’ A special area is set up each year for jam sessions, where musicians and enthusiasts gather to improvise and play together, late into the night. A truly authentic jazz experience, the open session is fresh and dynamic.
The BargaJazz Festival is a fun occasion for the whole family, and the Manidoro will be providing children’s entertainment, organised by the Mandala Jazz Association, at the Piazza Garibaldi.
At the Cathedral of St. Christopher, from 5 pm onwards, Dimitri Grechi Espinoza will be performing a skilled sax solo.
And at the Gardens of Villa Moorings the Nico Gori Swing 10Tet will appear at 9:30 pm. This band consists of Nico Gori as conductor and on the clarinet, Michela Lombardi with vocals, Renzo Cristiano Telloli as alto saxophone, Francesco Felici as tenor saxophone, Tommaso Iacoviello on trumpet, Silvio Bernardi on trombone, Federico Frassi on piano, Matteo Anelli on double bass, Vladimiro Carboni on drums, Mattia Donati on guitar, and Iacopo Crudeli as a vocalist.
All events on Sunday are free admission, except for Nico Gori Swing 10Tet, for which admission costs €10.
Tue. 19 Aug.
At the Garden of Villa Moorings, Mauro Grossi will be performing a selection from his acclaimed 2023 album ‘Mediterranando’ at 9:30 pm. He will be accompanied by Federica Fiorentini’s vocals; Vittorio Alinari, Luca Ravagni, and Rossano Emili on saxophone; Andrea Tofanelli and Alessio Bianchi on trumpets; Glauco Benedetti on trombone; Guido Zorn on double bass; and Michele Vannucci on drums.
Admission costs €10.
Wed. 20 Aug.
The Luis Gonzalez Quartet will be performing at the Garden of Villa Moorings at 9:30 pm. Luis Gonzalez Perez is on piano, with Pedro Cortejosa as tenor saxophone, Raimon Ferrer on double bass, and Josep Cordobes on drums.
Admission costs €10.
Thurs. 21 Aug.
The Eddie Henderson Quartet will be playing at the Garden of Villa Moorings at 9:30 pm. Eddie Henderson will be playing the flugelhorn (a brass instrument resembling the trumpet). He is joined on stage by Bruce Barth on piano, Roz MacDonald on bass, and Alfred Kramer on drums.
Admission costs €15.
Fri. 22 Aug.
At 9:30 pm, the Barga Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Mario Raja, take to the stage at the Theatre dei Differenti. This evening showcases Section B of the jazz orchestra composition and arrangement competition, performing original compositions. This is not one to miss.
The Theatre dei Differenti’s long history dates back to 1688, but the impressive three-tiered auditorium that remains today was rebuilt in 1793. From 1967 to , Peter Hunt and Gillian Armitage, an English couple, helped establish Barga as a world-renowned centre of opera – with the Theatre dei Differenti at the heart of it.
To get lost in the world of jazz, at BargaJazz festival, in the walls of a venue teaming with history, would be a truly compelling experience.
Admission costs €15.
Sat. 23 Aug.
The accompaniment to Friday’s entertainment, this highly anticipated finale to the great festival sees Barga Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Mario Raja, joined on stage by Eddie Henderson, at 9:30 pm, again at the Theatre dei Differenti.
Together they will perform Section B of the jazz orchestra composition and arrangement competition, with arrangements based on music by Marco Tamburini.
Admission costs €15. (Molly Jayne Evans)
