12th Edition of “Italian Jazz for Earthquake-Affected Areas” at the National Museum of Abruzzo.
On September 5 and 6, L’Aquila—the Italian Capital of Culture for 2026—hosts the twelfth edition of the largest event dedicated to Italian jazz.
On Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, Italian Jazz for Earthquake-Affected Areas returns. This event has become a unique fixture on the national cultural landscape, bringing together hundreds of musicians from across Italy each year in a vast, city-wide artistic workshop involving institutions, associations, cultural professionals, and citizens.
This edition holds even deeper significance as it takes place during the year L’Aquila serves as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2026, reaffirming the city’s role as a prime hub for gathering, experimentation, and cultural production.
Over 300 artists will headline the twelfth edition, performing at iconic sites throughout the historic center. More than 20 locations—including squares, courtyards, historic palaces, churches, museums, and cultural spaces—will once again host concerts, original productions, discussions, workshops, and multidisciplinary projects, creating a journey that connects the city’s historic heritage with the vitality of the contemporary jazz scene.
The theme accompanying this edition is “Riflessi” (Reflections)—a word that only appears simple. It was chosen as the interpretive key for the entire event by the artistic team of Maria Pia De Vito, Paola Martini, and Nicola Pisani. They envisioned the festival as an open space for dialogue, where jazz becomes a language capable of interpreting the present, fostering connections, and generating new perspectives.
The National Museum of Abruzzo in L’Aquila, where the exhibition The Visitation in L’Aquila. Raffaello e Pontormo is on display until September 27, curated by Tom Henry and Federica Zalabra, is participating in the 12th edition of Riflessi. It offers visitors an immersive experience that explores the evocative atmosphere of the setting through musical performances—specifically designed to highlight the unique acoustic qualities of these exclusive spaces—taking place over two days in the eastern bastion of L’Aquila’s Castello cinquecentesco, according to the following program:
Program
Saturday, September 5, 2026
- 4:30 pm Eugenio Colombo (flutes, saxophones)
- 5:30 pm Solos (flute & poetry) – Vincenzo Mastropirro (flute, spoken word)
Sunday, September 6, 2026
- 4:30 pm Carlo Maver (bandoneon, flutes)
- 5:30 pm Giuseppe Franchellucci (cello)
The performances will be accompanied by a dancer from the Centro Studi Danza L’Arabesque.
The cultural association Jazz all’Aquila is making 20 free admission spots available for the concerts on September 5 (at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm); these can be obtained at the initiative’s information point in Piazza Battaglione Alpini (while supplies last) or by emailing info@jazzallaquila.it.
On Sunday, September 6—coinciding with “Sunday at the Museum” (a Ministry of Culture initiative offering free admission to state museums and archaeological parks on the first Sunday of every month)—access to the 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm concerts will not require a reservation but will be limited to a maximum of 70 people.
“Il jazz italiano per le terre del sisma” (Italian Jazz for Earthquake-Affected Areas) is organized by the *Jazz all’Aquila* association; it is promoted and supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of L’Aquila, and is part of the *L’Aquila 2026 Italian Capital of Culture* program. It is promoted by the Abruzzo Region, with the support of Main Sponsors SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers) and NUOVO IMAIE (New Mutual Institute for Performing Artists), and with contributions from the *Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio della Provincia dell’Aquila*, technical sponsor *Montarbo AEB Industriale Srl*, and the many technical partners involved. It is organized in collaboration with the *Federazione Nazionale Il Jazz Italiano* and features the active participation of all its member organizations.
Furthermore, the event involves the collaboration of the *Orchestra Nazionale Jazz dei Conservatori* and partnerships with some of the region’s most important cultural institutions, such as MUNDA (National Museum of Abruzzo), the Alfredo Casella Conservatory, MAXXI L’Aquila, the *Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia* (Abruzzo branch), the *Istituzione Sinfonica Abruzzese*, the Academy of Fine Arts of L’Aquila, the *Centro Studi L’Arabesque*, and the *Associazione Teatro Opera Project*.
Program
Saturday, September 5, 2026
- 4:30 pm Eugenio Colombo (flutes, saxophones)
- 5:30 pm Solos (flute & poetry) – Vincenzo Mastropirro (flute, spoken word)
Sunday, September 6, 2026
- 4:30 pm Carlo Maver (bandoneon, flutes)
- 5:30 pm Giuseppe Franchellucci (cello)
The performances will be accompanied by a dancer from the Centro Studi Danza L’Arabesque.
The cultural association Jazz all’Aquila is making 20 free admission spots available for the concerts on September 5 (at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm); these can be obtained at the initiative’s information point in Piazza Battaglione Alpini (while supplies last) or by emailing info@jazzallaquila.it.
On Sunday, September 6—coinciding with “Sunday at the Museum” (a Ministry of Culture initiative offering free admission to state museums and archaeological parks on the first Sunday of every month)—access to the 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm concerts will not require a reservation but will be limited to a maximum of 70 people.
Italian Jazz for Earthquake-Affected Areas is organized by the Jazz all’Aquila association; it is promoted and supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of L’Aquila, and is part of the “L’Aquila 2026 Italian Capital of Culture” program. It is promoted by the Abruzzo Region, with the support of main sponsors SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers) and NUOVO IMAIE (New Mutual Institute for Performing Artists), and with contributions from the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio della Provincia dell’Aquila, technical sponsor Montarbo AEB Industriale Srl, and numerous other technical partners. It is organized in collaboration with the Federazione Nazionale Il Jazz Italiano and features the active participation of all its member organizations.
Furthermore, the event involves the collaboration of the Orchestra Nazionale Jazz dei Conservatori and partnerships with some of the region’s most important cultural institutions, such as MUNDA (National Museum of Abruzzo), the Alfredo Casella Conservatory, MAXXI L’Aquila, the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (Abruzzo branch), the Istituzione Sinfonica Abruzzese, the Academy of Fine Arts of L’Aquila, the Centro Studi L’Arabesque, and the Associazione Teatro Opera Project.
