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Saturday, July 18, 2020

Ode to Umbria Jazz














This week I was supposed to be in Perugia for the Umbria Jazz festival. For the first time in many many years, the famous italian jazz festival could not take place. Needless to say it was a big disappointment for the staff, the musicians and fans alike.... including me.

Fortunately the organization of Umbria Jazz has already communicated the dates for 2021. And they have managed to contract many of the musicians who were supposed to perform this summer. For example Tom Jones, Chick Corea, Stefano Bollani and Jamie Cullum have already been confirmed for next year.

Umbria Jazz is my favourite music festival in the whole world.... because it literally has it all.... great (jazz) music, beautiful venues such as the historical Teatro Morlacchi, the recently restored church of San Francesco al Prato, the Sala Podiani in the Palazzo dei Priori, amazing art and historical sites, a stunning view over Assisi and the surrounding hills, mouthwatering food, fine wines, trendy shops, proximity to Rome and Florence and.... lovely people.
















Many musicians are regulars at Umbria Jazz: Sonny Rollins, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joe Lovano, Michel Camilo, they all love the relaxed vibe and the good food. And the fact that they actually get the chance to listen to some of their peers. Unlike some of the other big festivals, here it still feels like a vacation (oh well, sort of).






Umbria Jazz has given me so much joy, so many happy moments... I miss it deeply. Most of all because of the people working there. It's one big family. Staff, musicians, managers, journalists, regular visitors, locals.... they all share this big love for Perugia, jazz music and in particular this festival.
For the lucky few who will be in Perugia next month, there will be a series of concerts from the 7th until the 10th of august.

See you next year Umbria Jazz!

For more information, please visit:
https://www.umbriajazz.it/en/

Or read one of my previous blogs about Umbria Jazz:
https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2015/07/top-5-things-to-do-in-perugia-during.html

Unfortunately I couldn't find good photos of everyone involved... so my apologies to those who are not pictured here. (I went through thousands of photos...)

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