Venezia Jazz Festival

From 30 July 2008 to 02 August 2008

A fresh breath of air for the Venetian summer: the first edition of the Venice Jazz Festival, organised by Veneto Jazz in collaboration with the Region of Venice and the City of Venice. From 30 July to 2 August some of the most famous names in jazz take to the stage at the La Fenice theatre as well as various other prestigious locations - the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Teatro Fondamenta Nuove, and the island of San Servolo). In addition to the main concerts various other events are planned of interest to lovers of jazz and those taking part. The most eagerly awaited concert takes place on Friday 1 August when the La Fenice theatre plays host to Bobby McFerrin and the pianist Stefano Bollani. As well as his huge worldwide success with Dont Worry, Be Happy, McFerrin McFerrin has won 10 Grammy Awards. Bollani won the European Jazz Prize (Hans Koller Preis) for best European musician in 2007 and is currently reworking carioca songs in a jazz key. The festival opens at the Peggy Guggenheim museum on Wednesday 30 July at 10p.m. with a concert by the awe-inspiring Brazilian guitarist Yamand Costa. Thursday 31 July (10p.m.) sees the clarinettist Mirabassi at the Teatro Fondamenta Nuove with a homage both to the African wood of his instrument and the Italian makers who crafted it. Saturday 2 August on the island of San Servolo sees Geg Telesforo & Groovinators. Also with him will be Mia Cooper, the extraordinary singer from New Orleans, together with some of the finest Italian musicians of today.

All concerts (apart from McFerrin-Bollani at La Fenice and Gabriele Mirabassi) are free.

Campo dellErbaria (Rialto) and La Fenice (San Marco) VeniceThe concerts aperitif of Venice Jazz Festival.Moving on to the accompanying concerts and events, the aperitifs as a prelude to the main events: in Campo dellErbaria near the Rialto bridge, emerging Italian ensembles will be playing from 6.30 p.m.(including the Venice Jazz Club with Pietro Tonolo and Davide Boato) and from 8p.m. well-known groups such as the Steve Grossman Quartet (30 July the jazz-rock of ExitSigns (31 July the trumpet of Gianluca Carollo and his quartet (1 August) and the saxophonist Nicola Fazzini (2 August). Egea Showcase at La Fenice: from30 July to 1 August, the Sale Apollinee of La Fenice will play host during the afternoons to Egea, the artistic collaborator of the festival, with meetings of artistes and displays of its catalogues.