Cimitile – The Pomigliano Jazz Festival celebrates its thirtieth edition with a prestigious event. On July 19th and 20th, the festival, directed by Onofrio Piccolo, will take place at the majestic Early Christian Basilicas of Cimitile, in the heart of the province of Naples, for two evenings that promise to combine the magic of jazz with the enchantment of a historic and evocative setting.
Tickets for these unique events are available through Azzurro Service and Vivaticket, as well as at major ticket outlets. For information, please call 081 5934001 or visit www.azzurroservice.net.
Saturday, July 19: Joe Lovano Returns with the Marcin Wasilewski Trio
The first evening, Saturday, July 19th, will feature one of the most acclaimed names in contemporary jazz: Joe Lovano. The Cleveland-born saxophonist returns to the Pomigliano Jazz stage after years since his last performance (in 2009 with the Orchestra Napoletana di Jazz). This time, Lovano will perform live from his new album, "Homage," released in April on ECM, with the talented Marcin Wasilewski Trio.
The Grammy Award-winning American saxophonist and composer, along with dynamic Polish musicians Marcin Wasilewski (piano), Slawomir Kurkiewicz (double bass), and Michal Miskiewicz (drums), will create a unique musical synthesis, where lyricism and power blend in perfect harmony. The new album, produced by Manfred Eicher, further expands on the fluid interplay and improvisational passages that have become the quartet's trademark, moving from post-bop toward European chamber jazz and free jazz.
Joe Lovano's performance featuring the Marcin Wasilewski Trio will be preceded, at 21 pm, by saxophonist Luigi Di Nunzio's project "Eudaimonia."
Sunday, July 20: Jazz's New Star, Nubya Garcia
On Sunday, July 20th, the spotlight will turn on one of the most promising figures on the European jazz scene: Nubya Garcia. The London-based saxophonist, composer, and bandleader will perform in a quartet with Lyle Barton on piano and keyboards, Max Luthert on double bass, and Sam Jones on drums.
Recognized as one of the leading figures in the innovative British jazz scene, Nubya Garcia is a multifaceted artist, capable of exploring diverse musical styles with ease. Although she studied jazz at Camden Music, her music transcends genres, fusing jazz, classical, dub, R&B, Afro-Caribbean sounds, and broken beat. Her concerts, like her acclaimed albums “Source” (2020) and the more recent “Odyssey” (2024), are proof of this. “Odyssey,” in particular, is a majestic work that blends orchestral arrangements with groove and ethereal sounds, marking a return to her love of composition.
Internationally acclaimed, Nubya Garcia has received rave reviews from publications such as Pitchfork and Rolling Stone, a Mercury Prize nomination, Downbeat’s Critics Poll Rising Star Award, and has performed at global festivals such as Glastonbury and Newport Jazz.
Nubya Garcia's concert will be introduced by the "Sound Interferences" of DJ and producer Marco De Falco, who will accompany spectators on a unique sensory experience.
The Festival continues on Vesuvius: a thirty-year anniversary packed with events
After the two evenings in Cimitile, the Pomigliano Jazz Festival 2025 will continue its thirtieth anniversary celebrations with three more unmissable events on Vesuvius at sunset:
July 26: The highly anticipated event on the Gran Cono crater with Al Di Meola (already sold out).
July 27: The meeting between Gianluca Petrella, Pasquale Mirra, and Malian multi-instrumentalist Kalifa Kone at the Vesuvius Observatory.
August 2: The musical dialogue between Javier Girotto and Francesco Nastro on the Ancient Road Matrone del Vesuvio.
The 21th edition of the festival is promoted and funded by the Campania Region through Scabec (with Cohesion Funds Italy 27–XNUMX), supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Vesuvius National Park Authority, and organized by the Pomigliano Jazz Foundation in partnership with the municipalities of Pomigliano d'Arco, Avella, and Cimitile, as well as EAV and the Instituto Cervantes of Naples. A high-level cultural offering that combines great music with the historical and landscape heritage of Campania.
The Pomigliano Jazz Festival seems like a great opportunity for jazz lovers. However, I'm not sure if the location at the Basilicas Paleocristiane is the best choice; there are many events held in more convenient locations.