Umbria Jazz Photo Diary

The first two weeks of July I was in Perugia, Italy, for the Umbria Jazz festival. Umbria Jazz 26 was held a week earlier than usual, because the organizers wanted to book Sting, who was available only on July 3rd. It was definitely worth it! Sting has performed in Perugia three times: in 1987, 2012 and 2026. I was there in 2012 as well and I have to say, Sting looked and sounded better than ever before!

Umbria Jazz 26 had a recordbreaking number of sold tickets... 46,000! There was an average of 20,000 visitors per day (for 10 days) who watched approximately 275 shows (28 shows per day, divided over 15 venues). Can you believe that? It's the biggest jazz festival in Italy and I will show you why. Perugia is a beautiful city, with stunning architecture. There are many -and I do mean many- good restaurants and bars. The local food is no nonsense, just how I like it! Pasta, pizza, veggies and salads, hamburgers... there is something to suit al tastes.

Umbria Jazz always knows how to please the crowds.... from big pop and rock stars at the Arena Santa Giuliana (their biggest venue) to "niche" jazz musicians at the Teatro Morlacchi and Sala Podiani... From jazz music for kids to the "swing stage" at Mercato Coperto, where people could dance to traditional jazz music... From jazz lunches and aperitivi at restaurant La Taverna and wine bar La Bottega del Vino to blues and rock and roll at the Giardini Carducci... it's just too much to mention.

Some of my favorite shows included Sting, Jon Batiste, Gilberto Gil, Zucchero, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Kenny Barron, Sugarpie and the Candymen (at La Bottega del Vino), Accordi Disaccordi and Ray Gelato (both at Giardini Carducci). Unfortunately I also missed several concerts that I really wanted to see... but that's just part of the deal when you're at a big music festival.

What I love most about Umbria Jazz is the people and the atmosphere. While Perugia is very crowded during Umbria Jazz, there are still places and moments to enjoy a romantic sunset, watching little kids dance to jazz music, an unexpected street artist who takes your breath away, connecting with old and new friends, dancing salsa and samba at the arena, sipping an Aperól Spritz while overlooking the Umbrian hills... 

Thank you Perugia and thank you Umbria Jazz!

Want to read more about Perugia and the Umbria Jazz festival? Please continue here:
Five things to do in Perugia
Holiday Season in Umbria
Ristorante La Taverna Perugia

Umbria Jazz Winter # 32

For New Year 's Eve I was in Orvieto, Italy. This beautiful town welcomes the Umbria Jazz festival every winter. In December 2025 the 32nd edition took place, with artists like Stefano Bollani, Danilo Rea, Dado Moroni, Fabrizio Bosso, Emma Smith and Ray Gelato.

Although the weather wasn't great (cold and rainy) and I didn't feel great either (coughing like crazy), it was wonderful to be there. Orvieto has stolen my heart a long time ago. I think it's the combination of a beautiful historic centre, cosy bars and restaurants, cute little shops and a wonderful atmosphere. Add Umbria Jazz to the mix and you have the perfect destination for New Year's Eve.

Want to learn more about Orvieto, Umbria and Umbria Jazz Winter? Please read one of my previous articles:
Osteria da Mamma Angela 
New Year's Eve in Orvieto 
Holiday Season in Umbria

Umbria Jazz 24

Umbria Jazz 24 has come to an end.... While I'm sad it's over, I am so happy and grateful I was there!!! It was a wonderful edition with many amazing concerts!! Raye, Lenny Kravitz, Toto, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Chucho Valdes, Roberto Fonseca, Pacific Mambo Orchestra, Hiromi, Christian Sands, Charles Lloyd, Ray Gelato, Funk Off, Accordi Disaccordi.... it just went on and on!!! 

I had lots of fun with my friends, had so many delicious meals (at Ristorante La Taverna, winebar la Bottega del Vino, Da Cesarino, Pasticceria Sandri), many aperitivi at the festival bar down at the Arena Santa Giuliana, met lovely new people, spent all my money at Perugia's finest stores (including Forma)...! All I can say is... next year you must pay the Umbria Jazz festival a visit!

For more information: Umbria Jazz

Want to see more of Umbria Jazz? Check out my previous blogs:
https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2023/10/umbria-jazz-50th-anniversary.html
https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2020/07/ode-to-umbria-jazz.html