Sanremo Celebrates Jazz Heritage with “Jazzin’ – Sanremo suona jazz… dal 1956” Exhibition

The city of Sanremo has inaugurated a new exhibition, “Jazzin’ – Sanremo suona jazz… dal 1956,” at the Teatro dell’Opera foyer, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the city’s inaugural International Jazz Festival. The showcase, which opened on June 26, 2026, features historical photographs and documents highlighting Sanremo’s early role as a pioneer in the European jazz scene.

Origins of the Sanremo Jazz Legacy

Seventy years ago, Sanremo established the first International Jazz Festival in Italy and one of the first in Europe, marking a significant milestone for the genre. According to historical records, the early editions were organized by the magazine Musica Jazz, thanks to Arrigo Polillo and Giancarlo Testoni. These events brought to the city those who would become legendary international jazz musicians, cementing the city’s status as a foundational hub for the music. While the festival’s continuity was disrupted over the decades, the current exhibition aims to reclaim this historical narrative for new audiences.

What the “Jazzin’” Exhibition Features

Curated by Umberto Germinale—who previously served as artistic director for the “Jazz sotto le Stelle” festival in Ospedaletti—alongside collaborators Marco Vigorosi, Lello Carriere, and Marco Donatello, the exhibition is divided into two primary sections:

• Contemporary Documentation: A collection of photographs capturing recent editions of the UnoJazz&Blues festival, showcasing performances and artists at the Teatro dell’Opera.
• Historical Archives: A deep dive into the 1956 origins, featuring vintage photographs, original reviews, and documents from the festival’s early years.

The project draws inspiration from jazz critic André Hodeir, who wrote that jazz is a “visual music” that can be understood in a total way only if one is able to witness its unfolding.

How the Exhibition Integrates with the Summer Festival

The exhibition serves as a companion to the 2026 Sanremo Jazz Festival Summer, which kicked off with a performance by the Franco D’Andrea Trio. To bridge the gap between historical memory and live performance, the organizers have implemented several initiatives:

• Visual Projections: Historical images from UnoJazz&Blues are projected in the theater before each live performance.
• Collector’s Memorabilia: Five unique postcards have been produced, including one that reproduces the original 1956 program and the first review of the International Jazz Festival.
• Photography Competition: In partnership with the Associazione Fotografi Italiani di Jazz (AFIJ), the city launched its first international jazz photography contest. Winners are scheduled to be honored on June 30, 2026.

The Role of Local Leadership in Promoting Jazz

The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured several local officials and stakeholders, including Silvana Ormea, the municipal assessor for productive activities; Giuseppe “Pino” Di Meco, president and managing director of the Casinò; and municipal councilor Anna Roberta Di Meco. Their presence underscored the city’s ongoing commitment to restoring Sanremo’s historical reputation as one of the cradles of European jazz. By blending archival preservation with contemporary festival programming, the organizers hope to ensure that the city’s jazz roots remain a central part of its cultural identity.