Vicenza Jazz 2026: Dates, Artists & Miles Davis Tribute
Italy’s city of Vicenza is preparing to host the 30th edition of New Conversations – Vicenza Jazz, a festival celebrating three decades of international jazz music. This year’s event carries particular significance as it coincides with the centennial of Miles Davis’s birth and looks ahead to the centennial of John Coltrane in 2026.
A Three-Decade Tradition
New Conversations – Vicenza Jazz, under the artistic direction of Riccardo Brazzale, will run from May 15th to the night of May 25th-26th. The festival will transform Vicenza, a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its Palladian architecture, into a vibrant hub for jazz. Performances will be held in iconic locations including the Teatro Olimpico, Teatro Comunale, Abbazia di Sant’Agostino, Cimitero Maggiore, and Basilica Palladiana, extending for the first time to the archeological site of the former CotoRossi industrial area.
A Stellar Lineup
The festival boasts an impressive roster of artists, including Makaya McCraven, Barbara Hannigan with Bertrand Chamayou, Mary Halvorson, Uri Caine, Billy Cobham, Joshua Redman, Israel Galvan and Michael Leonhart, Paolo Fresu, Isaiah Collier, Lakecia Benjamin, Savina Yannatou, Roberto Ottaviano with Robert Luft, Pietro Tonolo, Dimitri Espinoza, Neapolis Mantra, Enrico Rava and Fabrizio Bosso. The program features four Italian premieres, a special festival production, three multidisciplinary projects, and a closing concert dedicated to the legacy of Miles Davis.
Celebrating Miles Davis
The 30th edition, titled Dalle trombe di Gerico al divino Miles (From the Trumpets of Jericho to the Divine Miles), is specifically dedicated to Miles Davis. Artistic Director Riccardo Brazzale describes Davis as “an artist who, perhaps more than any other, knew how to continuously innovate and bring jazz – and all music – into the contemporary world.” The festival will highlight the trumpet, featuring performances by Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, and Fabrizio Bosso.
A Cinematic Tribute
A special production will combine jazz with cinema, featuring Paolo Fresu and his quintet performing the soundtrack to Louis Malle’s 1958 film, Ascenseur pour l’échafaud (Elevator to the Gallows). The festival will also host a grand soirée with Enrico Rava and Fabrizio Bosso, culminating in a midnight celebration of Davis’s birthday on May 26th.
Looking Ahead to Coltrane
The festival also anticipates the 2026 centennial of John Coltrane, with many prominent saxophonists featured in the lineup, including Joshua Redman, Isaiah Collier, and Lakecia Benjamin. Performances will range from traditional jazz to more experimental and spiritual forms.
Community and Collaboration
The festival is produced by the Comune di Vicenza in collaboration with the Fondazione Teatro Comunale Città di Vicenza, with co-production support from Trivellato Mercedes Benz. Sponsors include Brutal Agency, Acqua Recoaro, and Cantine Vitevis, with media partnerships from Il Giornale di Vicenza and TVA Vicenza. A photography exhibition by Guido Harari, featuring images of Hannibal Lokumbe Peterson and his daughter Eternal Lokumbe, will be held at the Basilica Palladiana from March 27th to July 26th.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key dates for the festival?
The festival will take place from May 15th to the night of May 25th-26th.
Where will the performances be held?
Performances will be held in various locations throughout Vicenza, including the Teatro Olimpico, Teatro Comunale, Abbazia di Sant’Agostino, Cimitero Maggiore, and Basilica Palladiana.
Who are some of the featured artists?
Featured artists include Makaya McCraven, Barbara Hannigan, Mary Halvorson, Billy Cobham, Joshua Redman, Paolo Fresu, and Enrico Rava.
As Vicenza prepares to host this significant event, what role do you believe festivals like New Conversations – Vicenza Jazz play in preserving and promoting the art of jazz music for future generations?