From Sunday 23 to Wednesday 26 August 2026, the Rocca di Castruccio will host the 25th edition of Serravalle Jazz, one of Tuscany’s most anticipated summer jazz festivals. Over four days, the medieval village of Serravalle Pistoiese will come alive with concerts, talks, book presentations and seminars, with events also taking place at the Former Oratory of the Assumption of the Virgin and the Barbarossa Tower.
The 2026 edition welcomes internationally acclaimed artists including Omar Sosa, Enrico Pieranunzi, Javier Girotto and the BargaJazz Orchestra, which will open the festival with Wonder in Jazz, a tribute to Stevie Wonder conducted by Mario Raja. The programme also shines a spotlight on emerging talent with the 11th Renato Sellani Prize, conceived by Nico Gori, which this year introduces a new section dedicated to young creative musicians.
The festival opens on Sunday 23 August with the BargaJazz Orchestra, followed on Monday 24 August by Enrico Pieranunzi’s Chet Remembered, a tribute to Chet Baker. On Tuesday 25 August, Omar Sosa takes the stage with his project Sendas, while the closing night on Wednesday 26 August features Nico Gori‘s new production Music Around the Clarinet, alongside an original project led by Tommaso Mannelli.
Alongside the evening concerts, each day will include talks, book presentations and music-focused discussions at the Former Oratory of the Assumption of the Virgin, while the Barbarossa Tower will host the traditional sunset concert, entrusted this year to Javier Girotto.
The festival also renews the collaboration between the Fondazione Teatri di Pistoia, the Municipality of Serravalle Pistoiese, Fondazione Caript and Music Pool, further strengthening Serravalle Jazz’s reputation as one of Italy’s leading jazz events.
Programme
Sunday, 23 August
6:15 pm | Former Oratory of the Assumption of the Virgin
A Sunday in June: Bill Evans at the Village Vanguard in 1961 and Other Florentine Jazz Stories
Book presentation by Andrea Giuntini, with the author in attendance.
Hosted by Alessandra Cafiero.
9 pm | Rocca di Castruccio
BargaJazz Orchestra 40. Wonder in Jazz
Conducted by Mario Raja
Special guest: Grégoire Maret
Monday, 24 August
6:15 pm | Former Oratory of the Assumption of the Virgin
A Love Supreme
A talk exploring John Coltrane’s masterpiece, his relationship with Alice Coltrane, and their profound spiritual and musical connection.
Presented by Lorenzo Becciani.
9 pm | Rocca di Castruccio
11th Renato Sellani Prize
Award recipients: Enrico Pieranunzi and Tommaso Mannelli
Followed by:
Enrico Pieranunzi Quintet – Chet Remembered
Enrico Pieranunzi, Mauro Beggio, Luca Bulgarelli, Michele Polga and Giacomo Serino
In collaboration with Toscana Produzione Musica and Ilands
Tuesday, 25 August
6:15 pm | Former Oratory of the Assumption of the Virgin
Brad Mehldau: Portrait of an Eclectic Pianist
Book presentation by Sergio Pasquandrea and Carlo Morena, with the authors in attendance.
Hosted by Alessandra Cafiero.
7:30 pm | Barbarossa Tower
Javier Girotto in concert
9 pm | Rocca di Castruccio
Concert featuring Giulia Impache, Andrea Marazzi and Jacopo Acquafresca
Followed by: Omar Sosa
Wednesday, 26 August
6:15 pm | Former Oratory of the Assumption of the Virgin
The Extrasensory Perceptions of Miles Davis
Talk by Francesco Martinelli.
9 pm | Rocca di Castruccio
Tommaso Mannelli – My Worlds
Tommaso Mannelli, Mauro Sarti, Mattia Hagge, Dario Lastrucci and Alberto Della Pietra
Original production / Artist residency
Followed by:
Nico Gori – Music Around the Clarinet
Nico Gori, Marco Benedetti, Raffaele Pallozzi, Andrea Mucciarelli, Simone Padovani and Andrea Beninati
Dettails
Single ticket: €5
Festival pass: €12, available from 29 May at the Teatro Manzoni box office, online via Boxol, and at the Municipal Offices of Serravalle Pistoiese.
Talks at the Former Oratory and the concert at the Barbarossa Tower are free of charge, subject to venue capacity.
A free shuttle bus will operate between Masotti Railway Station and Serravalle village from 8:30 pm to 12:30 am.
In the event of bad weather, concerts will be held at the Piccolo Teatro Mauro Bolognini in Pistoia.
Info
Serravalle Jazz
Ufficio Cultura +39 0573 917218
Ufficio informazioni turistiche +39 0573 917308
