From July 8 to August 4, the city of La Spezia will once again become one of Europe’s major jazz destinations with the 58th edition of the International Jazz Festival of La Spezia, the longest-running jazz festival in Italy.
Following the record-breaking success of the 2025 edition, which attracted more than 7,000 attendees, artistic director Lorenzo Cimino has curated a program that brings together jazz masters, fusion innovators, and artists capable of bridging jazz with contemporary pop music.
Opening the festival on July 8 will be legendary guitarist Pat Metheny with his project Side-Eye III, a performance designed to showcase a new generation of musicians while reaffirming jazz as a constantly evolving art form.
On July 13, fusion pioneers Yellowjackets will take the stage. Over more than four decades, the band has redefined the boundaries between jazz, R&B, and sophisticated pop through its unmistakable sound and innovative approach.
Drummer Billy Cobham and his Time Machine Band will perform on July 18, bringing the energy and technical brilliance that made Cobham one of the founding figures of jazz fusion.
A more intimate atmosphere will follow on July 19 with celebrated pianist Kenny Barron alongside bassist Linda Oh, in a meeting between one of jazz’s great living masters and one of the most respected voices of the contemporary scene.
Israeli singer-songwriter NOA will perform on July 24, presenting a concert that blends Mediterranean influences with international sounds while reflecting her longstanding commitment to cultural dialogue.
The festival will conclude on July 25 with American singer-songwriter LP, whose crossover appeal highlights the festival’s growing openness to wider and more diverse audiences. Known for one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary pop-rock, LP is expected to deliver one of the summer’s standout performances.