December 21–29, 2024

The much-anticipated Christmas concert series returns to the Casa del Jazz in Rome, a musical journey that explores the origins and evolution of jazz—from dixieland and swing to bop. Seven extraordinary evenings featuring orchestras, vocal ensembles, and small bands will enliven the most festive time of the year, offering unique moments of rhythm and magic.

Before Christmas, two concerts will feature clarinetist and composer Nico Gori with two different ensembles: the explosive Swing 10tet of ten musicians (December 21) and the Young Lions Quartet (December 22). The popular banjo virtuoso Lino Patruno will perform jazz Christmas classics with a sextet (December 23). After Christmas, the program continues with Retrosax, a group featuring three saxophones—alto, tenor, and baritone—with rhythm section accompaniment (December 26), followed by trombonist and leader Massimo Pirone, who will bring to life jazz classics from the 1920s and 1930s (December 27). The highly anticipated Rossana Casale returns with her new album Almost Blue, a program of jazz standards inspired by the color blue, such as Afro Blue, Almost Blue, Blue in Green, and more (December 28). The grand finale features the Mario Corvini Big Band, a 16-piece jazz ensemble, with internationally renowned guest soloist Rosario Giuliani (December 29).

PROGRAM

December 21 and 22 at 9 PM
NICO GORI SWING 10TET
The Nico Gori Swing 10tet is an explosive project and one of the most refined jazz ensembles in Italy, led by clarinetist and saxophonist Nico Gori. In 2025, the group will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Since starting his career in 1998, Nico Gori has contributed to numerous jazz, funk, and pop recordings, as well as creating jingles and TV music. He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in international jazz.

December 22 at 6 PM
NICO GORI & YOUNG LIONS
This quartet alternates American jazz standards with original compositions by leader Nico Gori. The program also features forays into South American music, including Brazilian pieces from choro to bossa nova. The ensemble is known for its refined sound, well-crafted arrangements, youthful energy, and outstanding interplay among the “young lions” musicians.

December 23 at 9 PM
LINO PATRUNO
Lino Patruno will perform on banjo and vocals, presenting some of the great jazz classics, including Jingle Bells and White Christmas, in celebration of the season, infused with swing and jazz feeling. The concert will also pay tribute to jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Nick La Rocca, Coleman Hawkins, Eddie Lang, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald. Lino Patruno has received the Golden Globe from the Foreign Press for the film Forever Blues (directed by and starring Franco Nero) and a personal commendation from President Mattarella for his contributions to jazz history.

December 26 at 9 PM
RETROSAX FEAT. GIORGIO CUSCITO, RED PELLINI & FABRIZIO D’ALISERA
Retrosax is a band composed of three saxophones—alto, tenor, and baritone—plus a rhythm section with guitar, double bass, and drums. The arrangements focus on harmonized saxophone themes reminiscent of a big band sax section, while allowing freedom and spontaneity for the soloists, evoking the lively energy of a jazz club jam session. The repertoire spans the 1920s to early 1940s, showcasing pure mainstream swing.

December 27 at 9 PM
MASSIMO PIRONE “THE LORDS OF DIXIELAND”
This project stems from leader Massimo Pirone’s passion for original jazz music from the 1920s and 1930s. The Lords of Dixieland Orchestra performs American jazz standards from that era, using authentic arrangements provided to Pirone by an American archivist, including works by Hoagy Carmichael. Unlike many tributes to this genre, this performance exclusively features original period arrangements.

December 28 at 7:30 PM and 9 PM
ROSSANA CASALE
Following her work on Joni, Rossana Casale returns to jazz with Almost Blue, a concept album inspired by the color blue and its deeper significance in jazz. Blue symbolizes melancholy and hope. From the “blue feeling” came the blues, rooted in the songs of enslaved people in cotton fields, reflecting a longing for freedom and redemption. “The blues is more than a color; it’s a moan of pain, the flavor of conflict, a sad refrain, but also a game that life plays” (All Blues – Kind of Blue, M. Davis, 1959).

December 29 at 9 PM
MARIO CORVINI BIG BAND – Special Guest ROSARIO GIULIANI
The Mario Corvini Big Band was born from an idea by Mario Corvini, founder of the New Talents Jazz Orchestra in 2012 and co-founder of the Parco della Musica Jazz Orchestra in 2005. This classic jazz ensemble features 16 musicians plus a conductor. The program includes original compositions by Mario Corvini, shaped by years of collaborations. These works maintain artistic originality while being enriched by the unique contributions of guest soloists. In this performance, the guest soloist is internationally acclaimed saxophonist Rosario Giuliani. Corvini and Giuliani share a long-standing friendship and professional history, including their work on the Miserere project with the Mac Saxophone Quartet, for which Corvini arranged the music.

INFO AND TICKETS: WWW.CASADELJAZZ.COM