GARDA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2025
JULY 28 – AUGUST 10
REFLECTIONS
"A work of art doesn’t give answers, it provokes questions. Its deeper meaning lives in the tension between contradictory responses."
— Leonard Bernstein
Jazz is art, and art reflects life. It is the rhythm of the present, a vision of the future, the breath of the soul.
Jazz resonates in the here and now, creates authentic connections, and generates emotional well-being.
Reflections is the theme guiding the 2025 edition: a musical mirror where every note questions, moves, and unites.
Because art doesn’t just inspire... art “will save the world.”
More information and full programme here.
Photo credits:
"Acqua" c'è più di quello che vedi, non fermarti alle apparenze
Monday, July 28, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Riva del Garda, Viale Dante near "Boutique Alberti"
Flash mob in collaboration with A.G.S. and Consorzio Riva in Centro.
Ferrario Veronesi - Connection feat. Flavio Boltro
Monday, July 28, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Torbole Sul Garda, Parco Pavese
The happy partnership between Andrea Ferrario and the rhythmic creativity of Lele Veronesi effortlessly traverses funky grooves, Latin sounds, and atmospheres, intertwining on stage in Torbole with the magical trumpet of Flavio Boltro, one of the best trumpet players on the global jazz scene.
In case of bad weather, the concert will be held at the Teatro di Nago at 9:30 PM
FREE ENTRY
Jazz Cafè - The Big Pee Wee
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 – 8:00 PM
Tenno, Cantine Naturali Torboli
An atypical quartet offering a heartfelt tribute to Pee Wee Russell and Marshall Brown, a perfect combination of two extraordinary talents who, back in 1963, managed to create a unique and engaging sound.
Their perfect synchronicity, delicate arrangements, passion, and energy created an unforgettable musical experience, now revisited and reinterpreted, including original pieces, by an excellent quartet capable of unleashing a refined and elegant swing.
FREE ENTRY Reservation recommended at T. +39 0464 500600
Jazz Cafè - Luca Donini quartet
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Riva Del Garda, Hotel Luise
A high-energy quartet, a prominent representative of the Italian jazz/rock scene, presenting original music rich in influences, improvisation, and glimpses of ethno-jazz and funk.
The band has released 11 CDs reviewed by journalists from major industry magazines, including a Live in the USA and the recent Live in Croatia 2021, with concerts across Europe and the United States.
Luca Donini, educator, composer, arranger, saxophonist, and clarinetist, has also been repeatedly voted in the TOP JAZZ of the renowned Italian magazine MUSICA JAZZ as a TOP ARTIST of the new generation. He boasts various collaborations with internationally renowned artists.
FREE ENTRY Reservation recommended at T. +39 0464 500600
New Direction 4tet
Thursday, July 31, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Arco, Castello (accessible ONLY ON FOOT through the olive grove of Arco – approx. 15 min)
An explosive band composed of four extraordinary musicians recognized and appreciated in the European and international scene, each possessing overwhelming energy.
Rosario Giuliani, considered an ambassador of Italian jazz worldwide, Federico Malaman, among the most virtuosic bassists internationally, Maxx Furian, absolute power and technique in jazz groove, fusion, and European pop, with the splendid young new revelation Leo Dalla Cort, come together in a vibrant and powerful project where technique and passion merge in "New Direction." A dynamic fusion traversing jazz, funk, and pop, intertwining with global influences, creating a unique sonic experience beyond borders, celebrating music in its most authentic, contemporary, and universal essence.
In case of bad weather, the concert will be held at the Casinò Municipale di Arco at 9:30 PM
PAID ENTRY €20.00/€15.00 per person | ➡️ book here
Scuola nel Bosco
Friday, August 1, 2025 – 5:00 PM
Drena, Resort
Discover the biodiversity of nature around Drena with the educators of the forest school and Creativity Garden, Canalescuola cooperative.
The educational path is aimed at children aged 6 to 13 and has a maximum number of participants. (Parents' participation is not foreseen)
| ➡️ book here
Follow: Cup of Sun
Friday, August 1, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Drena, Resort
An emerging formation led by singer and trumpeter Vittoria Izzo and saxophonist Francesco Guarino, forming a quintet composed of young musicians raised and trained around the "L. Marenzio" Conservatory in Brescia.
Their original pieces are inspired by the theme of spirituality with a meditative look at the inner and outer world, leading them to transform their lives and compositions, bringing them closer to the study of Indian classical music and that of other cultures. An invitation to listen to music and feel what it creates on a vibrational level.
FREE ENTRY
Kinga Glyk
Saturday, August 2, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Riva Del Garda, Palacongressi
Award-winning jazz bassist and composer, despite her young age, she is now considered the best Polish bassist, a rising star in jazz and blues music representing the younger generation.
Throughout her career, she has received significant recognition, including a nomination for the DEUTSCHER JAZZ PRESS Awards alongside Christian McBride and Wolfgang Muthspiel, and the "KORYFEUSZ OF POLISH MUSIC" award. Her album Feelings, with the track "Joy Joy," has surpassed 1 million views, while her video of Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" has reached millions of views, making her a bass star.
Kinga's career has solidified her status as a prominent artist in the global jazz scene.
Her music has led her to perform in Poland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Indonesia, Portugal, Italy, France, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Norway. A memorable performance with Marcus Miller at the Leverkusen Festival in 2017.
PAID ENTRY €20.00/€15.00 per person | ➡️ book here
Jazz Cafè - I suoni del giorno
Sunday, August 3, 2025 – 8:30 AM
Riva Del Garda, Villa Nicolli Romantic Resort
MUSIC BORDERING BETWEEN THE ETHNIC WORLD AND THE UNPREDICTABLE
Three prominent personalities in the Italian music scene unite to recreate unexpected and unpredictable sounds from all over the world.
Contaminations between folk and classical, gracefully and creatively moving from east to west in a journey that will surprise and open hearts to the wonder of a new day.
FREE ENTRY - reservation recommended - T. +39 0464 552589
Ivan Farmakovsky 4tet
Sunday, August 3, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Dro, Fluvial Area of the Cultural Center
An international quartet with Russian pianist and composer Ivan Farmakovsky, considered one of the most skilled and interesting in the international jazz scene, collaborating with artists like Bill Evans, Wynton Marsalis, and Seamus Blake, to name a few.
The repertoire comes from the albums “Next To The Shadow” and “The Way Home”, widely acclaimed by critics, along with some new material and fresh reinterpretations of jazz classics.
Joining him are rising alto sax star Federico Califano and the refined rhythm section of Francesco Tino and Michael Harding, who add new nuances and textures to Farmakovsky’s geometrically rich and melodically intricate music.
In case of bad weather, the concert will be held in the hall of the Cultural Center of Dro.
FREE ENTRY
Jazz Cafè - Gigi Cifarelli & Co.
Monday, August 4, 2025 – 9:30 PM
Riva Del Garda, Hotel Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort
Gigi Cifarelli is one of the most talented and respected guitarists on the Italian and international music scenes, known for his flawless technique and ability to span various genres, from jazz to Latin music, from fusion to popular music.
With a career spanning over four decades, Cifarelli has captivated audiences and critics with his unique style.
After studying at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan, his professional career took off in the 1970s when he began playing with major jazz artists. He collaborated with big names such as Chick Corea, Gerry Mulligan, Enrico Rava, Paolo Fresu, Michele Di Toro, Arturo Sandoval, George Benson, Mina, Loredana Bertè, Dirotta su Cuba, Solo, and many more. He also released solo works like "Gigi Cifarelli Trio" (1988) and "Close Up" (1995).
On stage, Cifarelli delivers captivating and complex melodies, always promising an emotionally charged performance.
MANDATORY PURCHASE, DRINK €20.00 – reservation recommended – T. +39 0464 566600
Jazz Cafè - Cheyenne
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Arco, Birra Impavida
“Cheyenne”, also known as Patrizio Mimiola, began his studies at SMAG in Riva del Garda and graduated in 2023 from the Trento Conservatory in Jazz Drums and Percussion.
Heavily influenced by the English NuJazz scene, in January 2024 he released his debut album “Cheyenne”.
The album features a wide range of sounds, but all tracks share a language that blends modal jazz with electronic music, especially through the use of synths and effects.
Following the launch at Leoncavallo in Milan, he embarked on his first full-band tour, performing in Bologna, Turin, Trento, Brussels, Antwerp, Amiens, Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, and other European cities, appearing at several festivals including Poplar, JazzMI, and Made in Cita.
FREE ENTRY – reservation recommended – T. +39 0464 630028
Jazz Cafè - Cesare Panizzi trio
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Arco, Sottotetto Urban Space
A trio of young talents presenting a project full of elegance and strong expressive power, with original pieces from their debut album “It’s Been a Blessing” and reinterpretations in a funk/Latin style of pieces by Herbie Hancock and Joshua Redman.
Young pianist and composer Cesare Panizzi graduated from the “Arrigo Boito” Conservatory in Parma and continued his musical education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston thanks to a scholarship.
After earning his degree in “Music Performance” in 2023, he moved to New York City, where he had the opportunity to perform in prestigious venues and collaborate with international artists like Eric Alexander, Rodney Green, Giuseppe Cucchiara, and Ben Solomon.
FREE ENTRY – reservation recommended – T. +39 333 8476638
Jazz Cafè - Alessandro Bianchini "My space"
Thursday, August 7, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Nago, Hotel Forte Charme
This second album was born from the desire to write more accessible and easy-to-listen-to pieces.
Unlike 10/5 (his first album produced by Birdbox Records), Bianchini leaned toward the traditional American jazz standards.
This led to a focus on immediate melodic lines and more regular forms, though enriched by unexpected harmonic explorations and clever arrangements.
To meet this musical vision, alto saxophonist Lorenzo Simoni joined the project, perfectly capturing the desired mood and sound, complemented by Marco Micheli on double bass and Simone Brilli on drums.
FREE ENTRY – reservation recommended – T. +39 0464 506012
Anat Cohen quartetinho
Friday, August 8, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Riva Del Garda, Palacongressi
Anat Cohen is celebrated worldwide for her expressive virtuosity on the clarinet and saxophone—not to mention her charismatic stage presence and sheer joy of performing.
The Israeli-American clarinetist and saxophonist has mesmerized audiences globally with her expressive technique and charisma, described by DownBeat as “a picture of joy.”
Since 2005, through her label Anzic Records, she has explored a broad musical spectrum, switching between small ensembles and large formations.
She has received multiple Grammy nominations, including one for Triple Helix with her Tentet, and has dedicated several albums to Brazilian music, including Outra Coisa and Rosa Dos Ventos.
In 2024, she released her 21st album, Bloom, with the group Quartetinho.
In March 2025, she will celebrate her 50th birthday with a series of special concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, confirming her status as a key figure in the global jazz world.
Evening in memory of Elio Bresciani and the club "Amici del Jazz rivano", founded in 1956.
PAID ENTRY €20.00/€15.00 per person | ➡️ book here
Tommy Bradascio 4tet – "Time to swing"
Saturday, August 9, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Tenno, Canale
Tommy Bradascio, the rhythmic engine behind countless jazz formations, presents an “all-star” quartet, featuring Cuban trumpeter Gendrickson Mena, pianist Alberto Bonacasa, and a rhythm section composed of Tito Mangialajo Rantzer on double bass.
The quartet delivers surprising energy and interplay, mixing carefully selected traditional standards with original pieces by Bradascio and Bonacasa.
After graduating in percussion and jazz music from the G. Verdi Conservatory in Milan, Tommy Bradascio collaborated with international artists such as Don Friedman, Jim Rotondi, Garrison Fewell, Jeff Fuller, Paolo Fresu, Tino Tracanna, Franco Cerri, Bruno Lauzi, Sheila Jordan, Renato Sellani, Ornella Vanoni, and many more.
In case of bad weather, the concert will be held at the Don Bosco Theater in Tenno at 9:30 PM.
PAID ENTRY €10.00/€7.00 per person | ➡️ book here
From 6:30 PM, traditional Trentino dinner available (for purchase) organized by the “Rustico Medioevo” committee.
Alfredo Rodriguez trio
Sunday, August 10, 2025 – 9:00 PM
Riva Del Garda, Palacongressi
"Alfredo is without doubt one of the best young pianists I’ve ever seen, and with the extraordinary skills he already has, his potential is unlimited." – Quincy Jones
Born in Havana in 1985, Alfredo Rodríguez developed his talent early in a musically rich environment, later studying at the National Conservatory of Cuba.
His career took off after performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where Quincy Jones recognized his talent and invited him to the United States.
Since then, he has performed on the most prestigious stages worldwide and received a Grammy nomination for Guantanamera from the album The Invasion Parade.
He was also the first non-Chinese artist to collaborate on the English version of the official Expo Shanghai 2010 theme song, working with Tan Dun, Siedah Garrett, and Quincy Jones.
PAID ENTRY €20.00/€15.00 per person | ➡️ book here
Click here to view all the programs of previous editions