Experience international jazz at the Italian Festa & Expo with a unique program of five exclusive Italian jazz concerts. Across two days, a dedicated theatrette inside the Royal Exhibition Building’s gallery will host some of Italy’s finest jazz talents, creating an intimate club atmosphere. Alongside over 200 stalls of food, wine, art, fashion and culture, this specially curated Italian Festa Jazz Club offers a rare chance to immerse yourself in world-class Italian jazz right here in Melbourne.
Saturday 18 October
Rita Marcotulli
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Renowned Italian pianist Rita Marcotulli invites audiences on a sound journey through memory and improvisation. This solo recital blends original compositions with tributes to film music and Italian greats like Modugno and Pino Daniele — a deeply personal and expressive performance where nothing is predictable and everything is possible.
Ilaria Crociani & Paul Grabowsky AO
5:30pm – 6:30pm
Award-winning Italian-Australian vocalist Ilaria Crociani and legendary Australian pianist Paul Grabowsky AO present a premiere performance of new songs born from rare, quiet hours.
Gianni Marinucci’s Morricone Project
8:00pm – 9:00pm
Trumpeter and flugelhornist Gianni Marinucci leads a tribute to Ennio Morricone, reimagining his iconic compositions through a jazz lens. This evocative quartet performance is a cinematic, atmospheric and moving tribute to one of film’s greatest composers.
Sunday 19 October
Ronny Ferella: Come Here Go Away
3:00pm – 4:00pm
A heartfelt musical reflection on the Italian-Australian migrant experience, Come Here Go Away blends original compositions, folk songs and global musical influences. Drummer and composer Ronny Ferella’s quintet delivers a powerful tribute to those who made the journey — and a rebuke to those who stood in the way.
Rita Marcotulli: Koinè
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Marcotulli returns with Koinè, a transcontinental jazz collaboration exploring the idea of a shared musical language. Joined by Mirko Guerrini, Michelangelo Scandroglio and Niko Schäuble, this quartet performance promises spontaneous musical dialogues and soulful surprises.
For the full Italian Festa program, check out the website here.