Ever since my first American films, jazz has been a musical style I enjoy both at home and at live shows. For me, it is a mindfulness activity where I lose myself while sipping a beer, a glass of wine, or a gin and tonic. I watch the musicians with admiration. Sometimes I write stories; other times, I read one of my own tales to my companion. My notebook is an absolute must. The rhythm? Even while seated, I follow it exactly as I feel it.
Jazz reached Palermo indirectly through Sicilian immigrants in New Orleans. A key figure was Nick LaRocca, the son of Palermitans, who led the Original Dixieland Jass Band and made the first jazz recording in history in 1917. This cultural exchange allowed the genre to resonate on the island long before its mass popularization.
Its ‘official’ arrival in the city, however, occurred in 1974 with the founding of The Brass Group by Ignazio Garsia. This institution was essential in turning Palermo into a mandatory stop for international legends. Moreover, it led to the creation of the Orchestra Jazz Siciliana (OJS), Italy’s first publicly produced big band. Its iconic venues were established at the Teatro Santa Cecilia and the Lo Spasimo complex.
Two distinct venues, diverse approaches to jazz.
