Every year Padua sees numerous cultural events connected to jazz music, ranging from teaching courses and concerts to literary discussions and film festivals. On an ever greater scale, these occasions are an opportunity to arouse an interest in jazz amongst a younger public.
This success story is largely due to Gabriella Piccolo Casiraghi, a businesswoman with a passionate interest in jazz. This passion lead her, back in 1991, to start organizing various concerts and events. Then, in the autumn of 1998, came the first Padova Jazz Festival, held at the Teatro Verdi.
Gabriella Piccolo Casiraghi is also the founder of the ‘Miles’ Cultural Association, which is the driving-force behind the continuing growth of the festival. Since 2000, this Association has run the event in collaboration with Padua City Council’s Cultural Affairs Department and with support from various public bodies and important companies.
Over the years, Padova Jazz Festival has become one of the most popular of its kind in Italy, involving the whole city and managing to attract artists of international standing. The Teatro Verdi, the prestigious Sala dei Giganti and the historic Caffè Pedrocchi are just some of the atmospheric venues which host concerts that have created a strong bond between the city of Padua and all sorts of jazz music.
