UMBRIA JAZZ
45th anniversary
13th-22nd July 2018
Perugia
Umbria Jazz, one of the world’s leading music festivals, was back in Perugia for the 45th time form July, 13th to 22nd, and FAZIOLI was, for the 21st year in a row, technical partner of the festival.
Some of the world’s most sought-after jazz musicians performed on FAZIOLI pianos on the prestigious stages of Arena Santa Giuliana, Sala Podiani and Teatro Morlacchi.
On July, 13th a great opening concert awaited the UJ audience feat. a stellar performance celebrating Quincy Jones’s 85th birthday at Arena Santa Giuliana with a line-up of exceptional guest Artists: the queen of American song Patti Austin; virtuoso jazz singers Take 6; Dee Dee Bridgewater; Noa and her historic partner, the guitarist and composer Gil Dor; Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian Ivan Lins; Alfredo Rodriguez and Pedrito Martinez from Cuba and Paolo Fresu as special guest. On stage with them, playing original arrangements by Quincy Jones, the Umbria Jazz Orchestra conducted by John Clayton and featuring drummer Harvey Mason and bassist Nathan East.
Other big names of the international jazz scene followed, starting with the Italian jazz pianist Stefano Bollani, who presented his latest album “Que Bom” devoted to Brazilian music, The Chainsmokers, Somi – the Miriam Makeba of our days – with her “New African Jazz” combining her East African roots with her jazzy soul, David Byrne, founder of the Talking Heads, accompanied by Los Mutantes and their alternative Brazil, Mario Biondi, one of UJ’s favourite guests this year joined by Nick West and the Hypnotic Brass Band; Gregory Porter with his tribute to Nat King Cole and the Umbria Jazz Orchestra conducted by Vince Mendoza.