Jazz & Wine, the best of jazz takes over Montalcino

The magic of supreme jazz rules the land of Brunello wine. On 2-14 July the Jazz & Wine festival will be back with a programme that combines deeply moving jazz and high quality wine. The famous event attended by leading international artists is now one of Europe’s greatest permanent festivals.

The outcome of the partnership between the wine producer Banfi, the Rubei family from Alexanderplatz in Rome, and the Montalcino Municipality, the review brings world famous artists to the icon city of Brunello wine for the twenty-second year. After the preview of 2nd July with the French saxophonist and singer Sebastien Chaumont within the historical walls of the Banfi Castle, the festival will commence on 9th July always at the Banfi Castle with an all stars band headed by the successful Mexican composer, drummer and singer Israel Varela. Already seen on stage with Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny, Varela will perform in “The Labyrinth Project” along with the German virtuoso pianist Florian Weber, and Alfredo Paixao, the legendary Brazilian bass player and winner of four Grammy Awards. The amazing American saxophonist Ben Wendel will be the special guest.

The must event on 10th July features the Jazz & Wine Orchestra conducted by Mario Corvini who will open concerts at the Montalcino Fortress, as every year. This year’s special guest for the evening will be Rosario Giuliani, Italian saxophonist, multi-award winner and historical “friend” of Jazz & Wine. This year the resident orchestra, which has been part of the Montalcino festival since 2015, proposes a repertoire dedicated to Thelonious Monk, model and landmark for generations of musicians for his eclectic and original approach that is always outside the box.

On 11th July spotlights will focus on the star from Philadelphia, Kurt Rosenwinkel, a guitarist who has ruled the New York jazz scene for over a decade, creating something new out of jazz through contaminations with rock, hip hop and contemporary music. A highly romantic composer with an absolutely personal timbre of rare beauty, in this trio he is supported by the talent and style of drummer Greg Hutchinson and bass guitar from Salerno Dario Deidda, who has always performed beside Kurt in recent years, even in the United States.

The height of this edition will be Dee Dee Bridgewater performing J’ai deux amours on 12th July. An absolute star in the international musical scene, with this project the unquestionable lady of jazz, Dee Dee Bridgewater, pays homage to the career and life of Josephine Baker, besides celebrating famous chansonniers of the time, such as Edith Piaf and Charles Trenet. Dee Dee Bridgewater will perform with a superlative quartet including Ira Coleman (bass), Louis Winsberg (guitar), Marc Berthoumieux (accordion) and Minino Garay (percussions).

On 13th July the festival will celebrate Italian jazz with drummer Roberto Gatto and his New Quartet. The ambassador of Italian jazz in the world, and once again proclaimed best Italian drummer by the monthly magazine Jazzit, with this extraordinarily mature and expressive new project Gatto explores a purely acoustic dimension once again, along with three of the best jazz musicians in the Italian scene: Alessandro Lanzoni (piano), Matteo Bortone (double bass) and Alessandro Presti (trumpet).

The 22nd edition will close on 14th July with another two icons of jazz: Flavio Boltro of Bbb Trio featuring Stefano Di Battista. The two ambassadors of Italian jazz in the world who came together this winter at Alexanderplatz in Rome propose a concert that spans acoustic and electronic effects. The repertoire includes pieces inspired by pop music with atmospheres other than classical jazz, perfectly merging Stefano’s exceptionally warm and sharp sound. On stage we shall also see Mauro Battisti at the bass and Mattia Barbieri at the drums.

All Jazz & Wine shows in Montalcino will start at 9.45 pm. For info, bookings and tickets, contact the Pro Loco of Montalcino (0577 849331 / 348 8855416 – info@prolocomontalcino.com). Tickets can be purchased online on Eventbride.