September in Piazza della Passera Jazz: A Free Festival

Steen Rasmussen Quinteto with guest Barbara Casini

SEPTEMBER IN PIAZZA DELLA PASSERA. Jazz Festival. Free entry.

Though this is the event’s 18th rendition, 2019 is ushering in some really major new changes for the September in Piazza della Passera jazz festival. This year’s performances will not unfold in Piazza della Passera exclusively; concerts will alternate between the original space and a new one, the Piazzetta dello Sprone, a few steps away.

Spread out over four days, this edition is dedicated to the American drummer Art Blakey (1919-1990), known for his originality and for fronting, alongside contemporaries Kenny Clarke and Max Roach, the drumming component of the bebop style of jazz. There will be two concerts to commemorate him specifically: at the first, on September 10, The Big Beat band will play music from the Jazz Messengers, a group Blakey was part of during the 1950s. The second, on the following evening, will recreate an album from Blakey’s repertoire: Orgy in Rhythm.

A variety of vocalists and musicians, including youth groups from conservatories and music schools, will perform. Special guest artists include the Danish ensemble Steen Rasmussen Quinteto who will interpret Brazilian jazz together with Barbara Casini.  The full program is below. (emma hempstead)

Tuesday, September 10

  • 7 pm, Piazza della Passera | Youth performance
  • 8 pm, Piazzetta dello Sprone  | Youth performance
  • 9:30 pm, Piazza della Passera | The BIG BEAT performs music from The Jazz Messengers

Wednesday, September 11

  • 5:15 pm, Piazzetta dello Sprone | talk about Art Blakey with Vincenzo Martorella, musical critic and historian
  • 7 pm, Piazza della Passera | Youth performance
  • 8 pm, Piazzetta dello Sprone | Youth performance
  • 9:30 pm, Piazza della Passera | reproduction of Art Blakey’s Orgy in Rhythm

Thursday, September 12

  • 5:15 pm, Piazzetta dello Sprone | talk about Art Blakey with Vincenzo Martorella, musical critic and historian
  • 7 pm, Piazza della Passera | Youth performance
  • 8 pm, Piazzetta dello Sprone | Youth performance
  • 9:30 pm, Piazza della Passera | Luisella in “Storie Brevi” with Simone Marrucci

Friday, September 13

  • 5:15 pm, Piazzetta dello Sprone | talk about Art Blakey with Vincenzo Martorella, musical critic and historian
  • 7 pm, Piazza della Passera | Youth performance
  • 8 pm, Piazzetta dello Sprone | Youth performance
  • 9:30 pm, Piazza della Passera | Steen Rasmussen Quinteto with guest Barbara Casini
  • Festival will end with a DJ set