MUSIC, Events, and Investments: Siena Jazz and JazzAble

1 May 2024 | JazzAble

Siena Jazz has been awarded €1,634,295 under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) for the development of the JazzAble project. The official presentation took place on April 30 at the Complesso Museale Santa Maria della Scala in Siena during International Jazz Day, and was followed by Blind Concert, a unique sensory experience uniting music and visual art.

With this success, Siena Jazz joins Italy’s most prestigious institutions—such as the Accademia delle Belle Arti di Milano, the Conservatorio di Torino, and the Accademia di Arte e Moda di Firenze—among the winners of the Next Generation EU program promoted by the Ministry of University and Research.

The JazzAble project

JazzAble, conceived and developed by Siena Jazz, includes the participation of the Conservatorio Frescobaldi in Ferrara and the CPM Music Institute in Milan. The project was officially presented during International Jazz Day, with contributions from:
Massimo Mazzini, President of Siena Jazz
Marina Vermiglio, General Director of Siena Jazz
Annamaria Maggese, Director of the Conservatorio Frescobaldi
Luca Nobis, Academic Director of CPM Music Institute
Jacopo Guidi, Artistic Director of Siena Jazz

International Jazz Day

International Jazz Day is a global event where artists and organizations in over 190 countries present performances, educational initiatives, and community programs. Siena Jazz intentionally chose this day, guided by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and jazz legend Herbie Hancock, who reminds us:
“Jazz has a spirit of openness that calls on all of us to look beyond our differences, not only breaking barriers, but also promoting peace. JazzAble fully embodies this spirit.”
Through JazzAble, Siena Jazz strengthens its role as a cultural beacon, driving internationalization, social inclusion, and community development.

A recognition for Siena Jazz and the city

The PNRR funding is seen as tangible recognition of Siena Jazz’s cultural role and its dedication to promoting Italian music abroad.
Massimo Mazzini, President of Siena Jazz:
“This excellent result rewards the efforts not only of our institution but of the entire city, starting with the Municipality of Siena, which has always stood by our side. Now we must double our efforts, because this is a success for the whole community.”

Marina Vermiglio, General Director and Project Manager:
“Internationalization and the ability to attract funding were key to Siena Jazz’s renewal. Despite the short timeframe, thanks to the momentum of the new board and the support of the Municipality, we managed to deliver a strong project proposal. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Siena Jazz.”
The project aims to:
Strengthen Siena Jazz’s international collaborations.
Enhance mobility for students and teachers.
Organize high-profile cultural events that showcase Siena and Italy on the world’s leading stages.

Impact and future prospects

Beyond its artistic goals, JazzAble will have a strong social and economic impact, attracting tourism, generating job opportunities, and enhancing Siena’s cultural heritage as part of the broader economic ecosystem.
With this milestone, Siena Jazz prepares to face the future with renewed energy, consolidating its role as a global leader in jazz education and cultural promotion.

The Blind Concert experience

The press event concluded with Blind Concert, a one-of-a-kind performance organized with the Fondazione Antico Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala. In complete darkness, students of Siena Jazz performed live, offering the audience an immersive sensory experience where sound perception was heightened. The concert also involved blind musicians, emphasizing Siena Jazz’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and innovation. The initiative ties into Siena Jazz’s ongoing research in assistive listening technologies, notably the Blind-Tag project. Guests also had the chance to explore Santa Maria della Scala’s tactile museum pathway, featuring reliefs of exhibited artworks and raised images of Siena’s most iconic monuments, developed with local art schools, the Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired (UICI), and Rotary Est Siena.