Jazzin’ Photography Exhibition: 70 Years of Jazz in Sanremo
The “Jazzin’ – Sanremo suona jazz… dal 1956” photography exhibition opens June 26 at the Casinò di Sanremo. Curated by Umberto Germinale, the event celebrates 70 years of the International Jazz Festival of Sanremo, featuring historical archives and a European photography contest running through July 4.
What is the Jazzin’ Sanremo project?
The project commemorates the 70th anniversary of the International Jazz Festival of Sanremo, which the exhibition details describe as the first of its kind in Italy and among the first in Europe to maintain a long-term, high-level artistic program. Curator Umberto Germinale developed the exhibition with collaborators Marco Vigorosi, Lello Carriere, and Marco Donatello.
The exhibition is structured across four distinct moments. According to event details, the Casinò entrance will feature historical pages from Musica Jazz magazine, which was organized by Arrigo Polillo and Giancarlo Testoni. This section also includes photography from previous Unojazz&Blues festivals and projections of jazz events held in Sanremo from 1983 to the present.
How is the music integrated with photography?
The exhibition extends beyond the lobby to the theater stage. Images from Unojazz&Blues will be projected at the teatro dell’Opera del Casinò before concerts begin. This approach aligns with a quote from André Hodeir cited in the exhibition materials, stating that jazz is “visual music” and can only be fully understood by witnessing its performance as an expression of “corporeal feeling.”
Who is the curator Umberto Germinale?
Umberto Germinale has worked in jazz and photography since the mid-1970s. Since the mid-1990s, he has published in specialized magazines including Jazz, Jazz It, Musica Jazz, and Jazz Hot, according to his professional biography.
Between 2005 and 2010, Germinale served as the official photographer for the Monte Carlo Jazz Festival, the Monte Carlo Summer Festival, and the PercFest di Laigueglia. He also served as the artistic director of “Jazz sotto le Stelle” in Ospedaletti from 2004 to 2018 and is a founding member of the Associazione Fotografi Italiani di Jazz (AFIJ).
What happens with the international photography contest?
The first edition of an international jazz photography contest, held in collaboration with AFIJ, has drawn participants from across Europe. The winners are scheduled to be announced on the evening of June 30, when their portfolios and photographs will be displayed.
As the event progresses, the winning entries may offer new perspectives on the genre’s visual representation. The exhibition remains open to the public from June 28 to July 4, sponsored by the Sanremo-based energy company Unoenergy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can the public visit the exhibition?
The exhibition is visitable from June 28 to July 4, following the inauguration on June 26 at 17:00.
Where can the exhibition be seen?
The event takes place at the Casinò di Sanremo, specifically at the entrance and on the stage of the teatro dell’Opera.
Who sponsored the Unojazz&Blues event?
The event is sponsored by Unoenergy, a company based in Sanremo that provides gas, electricity, and energy efficiency services.
For more information, visitors can access www.unojazzandblues.it.
Do you believe photography can capture the “corporeal feeling” of live jazz music?