The special two-day event will be held in the heart of the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in a breathtaking location: the millennial AquaMater hypogea, jewels set in the Sassi with a balcony overlooking the evocative scenery of the Murgia Timone and the rock churches. It is a large covered and uncovered site overlooking the ‘cinema staircase’: a place that has enchanted many international directors, including Pier Paolo Pasolini (The Gospel According to Matthew), William Wyler (Ben-Hur), Francesco Rosi (Christ Stopped at Eboli), Mel Gibson (The Passion), and Cary Fukunaga (007 - No Time to Die).
During the two days, the ancient stones and charming alleys of the city will amplify the emotions of jazz, offering an experience that goes beyond music.
The festival is sponsored by: Basilicata Region, Province of Matera, Municipality of Matera, CAI Matera, Matera Welcome, Matera 2019 Open Future. The artistic direction is curated by guitarist Dino Plasmati.
The initiative also received the important endorsement of the Umbria Jazz Participatory Foundation.
Admission to the festival is free, but reservations are required on the Eventbrite platform.
Program: The festival starts on Saturday, September 14, at 10:30 a.m. with the conference “Jazz guitar today”: a lively debate on the current state of jazz guitar with the participation of influential music journalists, critics, and experts in various fields, including physicist Mario Alemi, who will explore the link between music and mathematics, including through modern artificial intelligence.
From 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., a jam session will accompany a buffet tasting of typical Lucanian products: a convivial moment and networking opportunity for musicians, professionals, and the public.
From 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., a jam session will accompany a buffet tasting of typical Lucanian products: a convivial moment of networking for musicians, professionals, and the public.
From 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the conference “The Present and Future of Jazz Guitar” will continue the in-depth discussion dedicated to the future prospects of jazz guitar: stylistic innovations, new technologies, and the role of teaching. Renowned experts and teachers will speak.
At 5:00 p.m., the jazz lutherie workshop with master luthier Vincenzo Santochirico will begin, dedicated to the jazz guitar, during which the secrets of
the construction, setup, and maintenance of the instrument will be revealed, with practical demonstrations and a Q&A session.
The highlight of the first day, at 7:00 p.m., will be a concert by Maestro Eddy Palermo, a leading figure in jazz guitar, accompanied by Maestro Dino Plasmati. A journey through standards and original compositions that will enchant the audience.
On Sunday, September 14, at 10:00 a.m., there will be a performance by the finalists of the Angelo Carriero Award, a music competition for emerging musicians between the ages of 18 and 30, both Italian and foreign. At the end of the performances, the winner will be awarded a scholarship covering the full tuition fee for the Berklee Clinics at Umbria Jazz (2026 edition) and 50% of the cost of accommodation in an affiliated facility. The competition is dedicated to the memory of Angelo Carriero, who passed away prematurely, carrying in his heart, “as in a chord,” his passion for jazz guitar and sailing.
The jury for the first edition of the Award included Maestro Eddy Palermo, Maestro Manuele Morbidini, member of the programming team of the Umbria Jazz Participation Foundation, and Prof. Dino Plasmati, jazz guitar teacher at the Conservatory of Potenza.
The evaluation criteria include artistic quality, originality, instrumental technique, interpretative ability, and mastery of jazz language.
The festival will culminate at 12:30 p.m. with a jam session accompanied by handmade Lucanian pasta: a convivial networking opportunity for musicians, professionals, and the public in the company of the Accademia della Pasta Lucana fatta a mano (Academy of Handmade Lucanian Pasta), for a joyful farewell until 2026.
Info here.
