Jazz Festival

The original idea for this festival belongs to Tiberio Nicola and other jazz enthusiasts that in 1968 created the association called “Amici del Jazz della Spezia” (literally, “Friends of Jazz of La Spezia”). The first three editions took place in Lerici, in the park of Villa Marigola, and high-level musicians joined the festival. 
From the fourth edition, in 1972, due to financial viability and organizational capacity, the festival moved to the Teatro Civico of La Spezia, keeping its high artistic standards of the previous editions.
From the eighth edition, in 1976, concerts took place mostly outdoors: the public gardens, the Alberto Picco Stadium, the Luni’s Roman amphitheater, the amphitheater on Viale Alpi, Piazza del Bastione, and other squares in other seaside or hinterland places welcomed jazz concerts for these traveling editions.
In this period, big names inspired the festival performances: Enrico Rava, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, George Coleman, Woody Shaw, Charles Tolliver, Thad Jones’ big band, and Mel Lewis.
In the 90’s, the Festival welcomed great artists like Archie Shepp and Elvin Jones, and among the young guests, there was Roy Hargrove.
In the early 2000’s, the Festival moved to Piazza Mentana, where Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter, Billy Cobham, Charlie Haden, Martial Solal, Brad Mehldau, Jimmy Smith, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Stefano Bollani, Dado Moroni, Fabrizio Bosso and many others took the stage.
The latest Festival editions have been traveling across the Gulf of La Spezia, with spectacular events held in places like Lerici and Portovenere.
Since 2011, the Festival has offered a new format, with seminars and concerts, thanks to the creation of the Premio Tiberio Nicola (literally, Tiberio Nicola Award), honoring the founder of the event, which will be given to the best emerging band.
Since 2020, the Festival has moved to Piazza Europa.