L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 10 L'Italo-Americano U m b r i a i s a r e g i o n b o t h t i m e l e s s a n d beautiful: with its rolling hills and ancient towns filled with art and history, it is a well- known and beloved holiday destination for Italians and n o n - I t a l i a n s a l i k e . Y e t , beneath the surface of its medieval charm lies an unex- pected surprise - a vibrant, thriving pulse of music, and not just any music, but jazz. Jazz has its birth roots in the vibrant cultural mix of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th century, and has always been about break- ing barriers and cross-cultur- al dialogue. Born from the convergence of African and European music traditions, it i s t h e e m b o d i m e n t o f resilience, improvisation, and freedom. Much like the sto- ries etched into Umbria's stonework, jazz carries within its notes a history of struggle and transformation. I n t h e w a r m h e a r t o f Umbria's idyllic landscape, every July, jazz's vibrant har- m o n i e s r e s o n a t e t h r o u g h m e d i e v a l s t r e e t s t h a n k s to Umbria Jazz. Born in 1973 from the shared vision of Carlo Pagnotta, a Peru- g i a n m u s i c l o v e r , a n d Giampiero Feliciotti, an art enthusiast, the festival was a daring venture that sought to infuse the region with the spirit of jazz. Pagnotta and Feliciotti saw jazz as not only a form of music but also a universal language capable of crossing cultural divides, bridging gaps, and creating bonds. Their daring venture aimed to capture the vivacious spirit of this music and distill it into t h e h i s t o r i c s t r e e t s a n d charming nature of Umbria. In other words, the festi- val's ambition was more than just about staging a series of concerts, it was a passionate effort to bring the world to Umbria and vice versa. Pag- notta and Feliciotti's endeav- or sparked immediate suc- c e s s , a t t r a c t i n g a congregation of jazz lovers from both local circles and international arenas. In its inaugural year, 1973, the fes- t i v a l w e l c o m e d t h e l i k e s of Sun Ra, a pioneering fig- ure of Afrofuturism, and his Arkestra. Also, in its early years, Weather Report, one of the preeminent jazz fusion b a n d s o f t h e ' 7 0 s , m a d e appearances at the festival. In subsequent editions, the fes- tival continued to attract stars of the jazz world: leg- ends such as Miles Davis, who is often credited as one o f t h e k e y f i g u r e s i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e genre, Dizzy Gillespie, a major figure in the growth of b e b o p a n d m o d e r n j a z z , a n d H e r b i e H a n c o c k , renowned for his ever-evolv- ing expressions in jazz and his groundbreaking work in electronic music, have all graced the stages of Umbria Jazz. More recent editions have seen contemporary stars such as Diana Krall, Keith Jarrett, and Chick Corea, demonstrating the festival's commitment to showcasing a broad range of talent. In its aim to be a platform for all forms of music connected to jazz, the festival has also hosted non-traditional and cross-over artists, like the B r i t i s h s i n g e r - songwriter Sting and pop sensation Lady Gaga, who performed alongside Tony Bennett in 2015. Legends of alternative music such as Thom Yorke and music icons l i k e E l t o n J o h n a n d L i z a Minelli also graced its stage throughout the years. The f e s t i v a l ' s r e p u t a t i o n h a s grown so much that it is now considered one of the most important Jazz festivals in the world. The event unfolds across a variety of venues in Umbria, e a c h w i t h i t s o w n u n i q u e character: the grand Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi offers a m a j e s t i c b a c k d r o p f o r unforgettable performances, while the intimate clubs in Perugia's historic center pro- vide an up-close and personal encounter with the music. In t h i s w a y , U m b r i a J a z z i s much more than a series of concerts, it is a total cultural i m m e r s i o n a n d a u n i q u e opportunity to travel through the region's rich historical and artistic landscapes, all to the captivating rhythm of jazz. B u t t h e i n f l u e n c e o f Umbria Jazz extends beyond the realms of music and cul- ture because the event has a transformative impact on the region itself. Every summer, as the festival takes off, a diverse confluence of people, cultures, and sounds sweeps across Umbria, breathing a fresh lease of life into the region. Of course - and it goes without saying - the festival is a godsend for both local trade and the tourism industry, a n d b r i n g s i n t e r n a t i o n a l recognition and prestige to U m b r i a , e n h a n c i n g t h e region's cultural profile on a global scale. Thanks to it, Umbria became a recognized center for world-class jazz, and its role as a thriving hub of creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange, which the region holds since the Middle A g e s , h a s o n l y b e c o m e stronger. The program for the 50th edition of the Umbria Jazz Festival, taking place from July 7 to 16, 2023, continues to take shape. On July 11, the outstand- ing jazz pianist Brad Mehldau will perform, accompanied by Larry Grenadier and Jeff Bal- lard. On the same night, the Branford Marsalis Quartet, established in 1986, will also perform. On July 12, intelligent and sensitive artist Rhiannon Giddens delves deep into the roots of American folk music and beyond, in a duo with Italian guitarist and partner Francesco Turrisi. Also per- forming is Snarky Puppy, which has rapidly become o n e o f t h e m o s t p o p u l a r names in the world of jazz and fusion. On July 13, Ben Harper, along with The Inno- cent Criminals, will take the stage. On July 16, in his only date in Italy, a great rocker and equally great bluesman, Joe Bonamassa, will perform. LUCA SIGNORINI Celebrating music in the streets, Umbria style, during Umbria Jazz (Photo: Drevs/Shutterstock) Music, history and art meet at Umbria Jazz LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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