Casa del Jazz in Rome Celebrates 20 Years from Mafia Confiscation to Cultural Hub
On April 21, 2005, the Casa del Jazz was officially opened in Rome, situated in a villa that was taken from the Mafia, which had once belonged to Enrico Nicoletti. The property was appropriated by the state in 2001 for cultural purposes. The initiative for its transformation was proposed by then-mayor Walter Veltroni, and the renovation was finalized in 2005 by architect Cesare Pascoletti and landscape architect Pietro Porcinai. The park, covering more than 25,000 square meters, is accessible to the public. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Summertime 2025 program will host over 40 concerts, featuring artists like John Scofield and Joe Lovano, with a closing performance by Cocorosie on July 28. Simultaneously, the 45th Festival I Concerti nel Parco will take place from July 2 to August 5.
Key facts
- Casa del Jazz opened on April 21, 2005 in Rome.
- The villa was confiscated from Enrico Nicoletti, treasurer of the Banda della Magliana.
- The property was seized by the state in 2001.
- The villa was designed by Cesare Pascoletti in the 1930s for Arturo Osio.
- The idea for a jazz center came from then-mayor Walter Veltroni.
- The park covers over 25,000 square meters.
- President Sergio Mattarella sent a message for the 20th anniversary.
- Summertime 2025 includes over 40 concerts with artists like John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Herbie Hancock, and Cocorosie.
Entities
Artists
- Enrico Rava
- Paolo Fresu
- Stefano Bollani
- Enzo Pietropaoli
- Roberto Gatto
- Chet Baker
- John Scofield
- Joe Lovano
- Rita Marcotulli
- Fabrizio Bosso
- Herbie Hancock
- I Patagarri
- Cocorosie
- Bianca Leilani Casady
- Sierra Rose Casady
- Angelo Valori
- Massimo Nunzi
- Wim Mertens
- Carmen Souza
- Sara Jane Morris
- Ichiko Aoba
- Paola Minaccioni
- Maurizio de Giovanni
- Joe Barbieri
- Fabio Celenza
- Alice Lupparelli
- Corrado Nuzzo
- Maria Di Biase
- Matteo Saudino
- Paolo Damiani
- Orchestra Papillon
- Irene Maiorino
- Emmanuel Exitu
- Paolo Vivaldi
- Franco Sorichetti
- Enrico Nicoletti
- Cesare Pascoletti
- Arturo Osio
- Walter Veltroni
- Pietro Porcinai
- Sergio Mattarella
- Don Ciotti
- Raffaele Ranucci
- Livia Montagnoli
Institutions
- Casa del Jazz
- Fondazione Musica per Roma
- Libera
- Auditorium Parco della Musica
- Grande Orchestra Avion Travel & Medit Orchestra
- Orchestra Papillon
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Viale di Porta Ardeatina
- Mura Aureliane
- Piramide Cestia
- Villa Osio
- Auditorium Parco della Musica