With little more than 20 days to go, we’re gearing up for one of the most stunning events on the Italian music summer calendar. We’re not just talking about its lineup, which is consistently one of the most refined among all Italian festivals, but also about the scenic setting atop the Monferrato hills in Northwest Italy, and the cultural, artistic, culinary and oenological delights it offers to every participant since its inception. Between the 28th of August and 1st of September, Jazz:Re:Found will be back for another unmissable edition, and we’ve never made a secret of our love extending beyond the festival itself to the project that nurtures it.

This year marks the 16th edition of Jazz:Re:Found, evolving into Jazz:Re:Found Garden, reinforcing the festival’s original values and heritage. This evolution not only bolsters its reputation for quality and innovation but also marks its transition into a robust brand. Launched in 2007 in Vercelli by Denis Longhi, the project now encompasses four boutique festivals—Jazz:Re:Found, Transatlantica, Archipelago, and Paraíso—along with an array of live events and DJ-sets across Turin and Milan, operates a communications and booking agency, manages a network of record labels, runs an editorial platform called Garden of J, and supports an artistic residency programme.

Over the festival’s long weekend, some of the finest names in jazz, jazztronica, tropical, funk, disco, and global beats from both Italy and around the world will gather in Cella Monte, Piedmont. This early medieval village, home to 500 residents and surrounded by vineyards and their distinctive and historical infernòt (wine cellars), will host thousands of festival-goers.

The lineup will once again spoil you for choice, but we would like to make things easier for you by suggesting some of our highlights…

On Wednesday, 28th of August, Jazz:Re:Found will debut with a legendary figure in Brazilian music, Marcos Valle. The carioca singer/songwriter blends samba, bossa nova, and jazz with pop and electronic elements, showcasing his vibrant and timeless sound. Valle has been an influential force in Brazilian music since the 1960s, known for his classic hits like “Samba ’68” and “Estrelar.”

The following day, Thursday, Gilles Peterson takes listeners on “educational” journeys through global sounds, blending rare jazz records with groundbreaking new releases. Peterson is a well-respected DJ, broadcaster, and record label owner known for his deep knowledge of jazz, funk, and world music. He founded the label Acid Jazz in the late 1980s and later Brownswood Recordings. His BBC Radio 6 Music show is renowned for its eclectic mix and introduction of new talent. Making their Italian debut, Glass Beams from Melbourne offer a unique mix of ambient and trance-inducing electronic music infused with traditional Indian classical elements, providing a meditative yet danceable experience. Glass Beams is known for their mysterious persona, often performing with their identities concealed, focusing the audience’s attention purely on their music. Napoli Segreta revives forgotten Italian funk and disco from the 70s and 80s, offering a contemporary appreciation for Naples’ rich musical heritage. This project involves digging through archives and private collections to unearth and celebrate lost musical gems, providing a nostalgic yet fresh experience.

On Friday, the day features South London-based Greentea Peng, whose enchanting voice and mystical music style blend R&B with psychedelic soul and reggae, tackling societal issues, spirituality, and personal healing. Her debut album Man Made received critical acclaim for its thought-provoking lyrics and genre-defying urban sound. Tokyo’s DJ Koco is revered for his impeccable technical skills in deejaying, delivering sets that include rare tracks from funk, soul, and jazz. He is acclaimed for his meticulous scratching and mixing techniques and is a prominent figure in the worldwide DJ scene, especially noted for his commitment to using vinyl records. Goldie, a foundational figure in drum’n’bass, brings raw, metallic energy with fast breaks and heavy bass lines. He continues to push the boundaries of electronic music through his label Metalheadz and his diverse artistic pursuits, including acting and visual art. Jamz Supernova is known for her innovative approach to blending future-facing bass, electronic, and R&B sounds. A prominent DJ and radio host, she runs her label Future Bounce and champions new and diverse talent through her shows and curated events.

Saturday’s lineup includes Mr Scruff, who blends funk, soul, jazz, and global beats with high technical skill, creating engaging atmospheres with playful graphics and animations. Known for his marathon DJ sets and cartoon artwork, Mr Scruff’s shows are an immersive experience. Celebrated for creating Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke combines Ethiopian scales with jazz improvisation, offering unique and mesmerising experiences. Astatke’s work has been crucial in bringing Ethiopian music to a global audience, with albums like Mulatu of Ethiopia becoming seminal works for every music listener. Making their Italian debut, the Glasgow-based collective Corto.alto, led by Liam Shortall, introduces a fresh fusion of jazz with elements of hip-hop, neo-soul, and funk. Their debut album, Bad With Names, has not only been recently shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize but is also celebrated for its energetic live performances and forward-looking sound. Neapolitan pianist and producer Bassolino fuses electronic music with smooth jazz and Mediterranean influences to create atmospheric and immersive musical experiences. His 2024 album, Città Futura, offers a contemporary spin on the soundtracks of 1970s Italian crime films, integrating elements of jazz and world music to rejuvenate and redefine a classic genre.

On the final day of the event, Sunday the 1st of September, Fin Greenall, better known as Fink, will captivate audiences with his unique blend of acoustic guitar, electronic elements, and soulful vocals, offering a cathartic listening experience that moves seamlessly from intimate folk to expansive, electronic-infused tracks as seen in albums like Perfect Darkness and Resurgam. Another festival highlight, Ezra Collective, hails from London and is redefining contemporary jazz with their energetic blend of afrobeat, Afro-Cuban, reggae, and hip-hop influences, perfectly encapsulating the diverse musical landscape of the British capital in their acclaimed album You Can’t Steal My Joy. Italian composer and bassist Rosa Brunello weaves a tapestry of sound that pushes the boundaries of jazz by integrating electronic textures with acoustic nuances, crafting a soundscape that delves into personal and cultural identity. Cami Layè Okùn draws from her African and Caribbean heritage to create danceable mixes that blend traditional rhythms with contemporary electronic music, while Belgian DJ Lefto Early Bird is recognised for his eclectic selections of jazz, hip-hop, soul, and electronic music, constantly on the pulse of emerging trends. Nicola Conte adds an Italian cinematic flair to his jazz and bossa nova compositions, resulting in sophisticated sounds marked by lush arrangements, evident in albums like Jet Sounds and Rituals. Finally, DJ and radio host Raffaele Costantino also known as DJ Khalab, merges traditional influences from around the world with electronic beats, providing engaging and broadening musical experiences through his insightful radio shows and far-reaching DJ sets.

In the next days leading up to the festival, we will also feature Q&As with some of these artists, providing insights into their music and experiences with Jazz:Re:Found. Additionally, they will curate playlists for Rhythm Passport, reflecting their musical tastes and influences…

Get your passes for the festival visiting this LINK
and dive into the JZ:RF mood with our playlist below...