L'Aquila to host 'Woodstock of jazz'

(ANSA) - Rome, August 6 - Six hundred musicians, 100 concerts, 20 venues and 12 hours of continuous music will render the Il Jazz Italiano per L'Aquila (Italian Jazz for L'Aquila) musical marathon a veritable "Woodstock of jazz", Culture Minister Dario Francheschini said Thursday. With Paolo Fresu as artistic director, the event will bring together Italian and international stars, bands, orchestras and emerging artists. They will play for free, for 12 consecutive hours from noon to midnight on September 6.
    The event was organized in solidarity with the city of L'Aquila, which is still struggling to recover from the consequences of a devastating earthquake in 2009.
    "It will be the biggest jazz event ever organized in Italy," Franceschini said.
    "But we will make sure there will a one-day event every year, to show how much L'Aquila wants to rise again," the minister said.
    "Restoring buildings isn't enough - the city must start living through its historic center once more. I'm glad this marathon is dedicated to jazz because jazz looks to the future," Franceschini added.
    "As Miles Davis said, Don't play what's there, play what's not there".
    The idea arose after last year's Buskers Festival in Ferrara, which had a preview event in L'Aquila. "It will be the largest jazz event ever organized in Italy," Franceschini said. "Six years after the earthquake, the people of L'Aquila are still suffering from shock," said Deputy Mayor Nicola Trifuoggi.
    While over 97% of the city outskirts have been rebuilt, the historic center is still under reconstruction.
    Some 20 locations will be used for the non-stop musical performances from 12PM to 12AM, spread between sites and monuments that are coming back to life, with the final concert to be held in Piazza Duomo. Performers include Enrico Rava, Danilo Rea, Enrico Pierannunzi, Franco D'Andrea, Antonello Salis, Gianni Coscia, Gianluigi Trovesi, Rita Marcotulli and Gino Paoli.