Thursday, 25 September 2025
- FOR EJN MEMBERS ONLY -
14:00 - Registrations for EJN members - Kursaal
15:00 - 16:00 Welcome session for new members and ‘30 under 30’ - Kursaal
16:00 - 17:15 Presentation of the EJN activities and general discussion - Kursaal
17:15 - 17:45 Coffee break
18:00 - 20:30 FORMAL EJN GENERAL ASSEMBLY - Kursaal
- OPEN TO ALL -
21:30 - 01:00 FRINGE festival around the city centre of Bari (TBA)
Friday, 26 September 2026
09:30 - Registrations for everybody - Teatro Piccinni
10:30 - 11:00 Official opening and welcome speeches - Teatro Piccinni
11:00 - 11:20 KEYNOTE SPEECH: Nabil Bey Salameh - Teatro Piccinni
Singer-songwriter, ethnomusicologist, founder of Al Darawish and Radiodervish, writer, journalist, and teacher, Nabil Bey was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, into a family of Palestinian origin. He moved to Italy in the 1980s to study engineering and since then has been living in the city of Bari. For years, Nabil's artistic exploration has extended beyond music, encompassing literature, theatre, and poetry.
11:30 - 12:30 PANEL DEBATE: Sounds of Home - Can music help overcome fear and division in our societies? - Teatro Piccinni
In an era of extreme polarisation, increasing division and hostility toward the "other," can music truly foster a sense of belonging and break down barriers? This panel debate brings together artists, promoters, and researchers to explore the power of music, and in particular of jazz and other creative music, in shaping inclusive societies. Can it counter stereotypes, challenge hostility toward migrants, and inspire genuine connections? Or is the idea of music as a tool for social change just an oversimplified and idealistic narrative? Join us as we debate the real impact, challenges, and potential of music in building bridges across cultures and in creating more open and just societies.
- Soweto Kinch - artist and broadcaster, UK
- Pino Pecorelli - artist - BabelNova Orchestra, IT
- TBA
- Moderator: Anna Umbima - writer and broadcaster, UK
12:30 - 13:00 SHOWCASE: ELEkTRA - Teatro Piccinni
- Camilla Battaglia - vocals, electronics
- Francesco Fiorenzani - guitar
- Simone Graziano - piano, keys
- Francesco Ponticelli - double bass
- Francesca Remigi - drums
13:30 - 14:30 Lunch - Castello Svevo
15:00 - 16:30 Five parallel DISCUSSION GROUPS - Castello Svevo
#1 - Embracing cultural entrepreneurship to future-proof our organisations
#2 - Sharing the load: involving audiences in environmentally responsible live music
#3 - The social and political role of curators and programmers
#4 - The elephant in the room: addressing burnout in the music industry workforce
#5 - Unseen faces / unheard voices: how to ensure migrant communities have a meaningful place in our programmes and organisations
17:00 - 17:30 SHOWCASE: VMV TRIO - Castello Svevo
- Vincenzo Di Gioia - alto sax
- Marco Cutillo - guitar
- Vito Tenzone - drums
17:40 - 18:10 SHOWCASE: Anaïs Drago 'Relevé' - Castello Svevo
- Anaïs Drago - violins, electronics
- Federico Calcagno - clarinets
- Massimiliano Trabucco - drums
18:20 - 18:50 SHOWCASE: Bring Your Horn - Castello Svevo
- Emanuele Coluccia - sax
- Filippo Bubbico - keys
- Alberto Manco - drums
19:00 - 20:00 Free time / networking
20:00 - 21:30 Dinner - Mövenpick hotel
21:30 - 01:00 FRINGE festival around the city centre of Bari (TBA)
Saturday, 27 September 2025
10:00 - Registrations for everybody - Castello Svevo
10:30 - 11:00 Breakfast / networking - Castello Svevo
11:00 - 11:30 SHOWCASE: Matteo Bortone ‘No Land's’ - Teatro PIccinni
- Matteo Bortone - bass
- Julien Pontvianne - tenor sax
- Benjamin Garson - guitar
- Yannick Lestra - rhodes/synth
- Ariel Tesssier - drums
11:30 - 13:00 Four parallel WORKING GROUPS - Castello Svevo
#1 - Meet your fellow members: speed dates (for EJN members only)
#2 - Good vibes only: let’s create welcoming spaces in our venues and organisations
#3 - Smart sounds and smarter systems: AI tools for creative music organisers
#4 - For a better music ecosystem: joint session for agents and programmers
13:00 - 13:15 Group photo - Castello Svevo
13:30 - 14:30 Lunch - Castello Svevo
15:30 - 16:00 Celebration of the EJN Awards 2025 - Teatro Piccinni
16:30 - 17:00 CONCERT: SC’OOF (CH) - EJN Zenith Award winner 2025 - Teatro Piccinni
- Noah Arnold - sax
- Elio Amberg - sax
- Christian Zemp - guitar
- Vincent Glanzmann - drums, electronics
16:30 - 16:45 Wrap-up and closing remarks - Teatro Piccinni
16:45 - 17:00 Presentation of the European Jazz Conference 2026 - Teatro Piccinni
17:00 - 17:30 SHOWCASE: Esmeralda Sella - Teatro Piccinni
- Esmeralda Sella - piano
- Federico Giolito - double bass
- Giovanni Nardiello - drums
17:45 - 18:15 SHOWCASE: Matteo Paggi ‘GIRAFFE’ - Teatro Piccinni
- Matteo Paggi - trombone
- Lorenzo Simoni - alto and soprano sax
- Vittorio Solimene - piano
- Andrea Grossi - double bass
- Andrea Carta - drums
18:30 - 20:00 Free time / Networking
20:00 - 21:30 Dinner - Mövenpick hotel
21:30 - 01:00 FRINGE festival around the city centre of Bari (TBA)
Sunday, 28 September 2025
10:30 - 13:00 Cultural tours and activities (TBA)
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Programme committee 2025: Karolina Juzwa (Wytwórnia Foundation, PL), Steve Mead (Manchester Jazz Festival, UK), Mark van Schaick (Buma Cultuur, NL), Alex Carr (Cheltenham Festivals, UK), Max von Pretz (Südtirol Jazzfestival Alto Adige, IT), Claudia Sergio (Puglia Culture, IT), Maddalena Ciocca (Puglia Culture, IT), Giambattista Tofoni (Europe Jazz Network, IT), Francesca Cerretani (Europe Jazz Network, IT), Stefano Zucchiatti (Europe Jazz Network, IT).
The topics of the 2025 discussion groups were suggested by the EJN members through an open call, many thanks again to all those who replied with their suggestions!
Showcase selection committee 2025: Ugo Sbisa' (journalist, IT), Sandra Costantini (Jazz Network/Crossroads, IT), Valerio Corzani (artist and journalist, IT).
