L'Orchestra Napoletana di Jazz

The Orchestra Napoletana di Jazz, promoted by the Jazz Festival Circuit of the Province of Naples, is made up of the best talents of jazz in Campania.

Conducted since 2007by Mario Raja, leading Italian arranger and composer, the orchestra present a repertoire focused on surprising re-interpretations of Raffaele Viviani and of other classics of the Neapolitan tradition, like Salvatore di Giacomo’s timeless “Era de maggio”, alongside the original compositions of some members of the orchestra.

Raja gives all the songs great originality, combining the original spirit with a jazz interpretation, which is never obvious and free from the influence of the American models.

Great space is granted to the creativity and improvisation skills of the soloists. At the Pomigliano Jazz Festival, the Orchestra Napoletana di Jazz presents an original concert with special guests. Three Neapolitan voices: Raiz, an interpreter of Naples' ancient conflicts and mysterious future; the fine composer Mariapia De Vito, one of Europe’s most appreciated vocalists; fanciful Meg, a borderline, hypnotic artist. Two Afro-american musicians: pianist Randy Weston, a true living legend of jazz; percussionist Famoudou Don Moye, a protagonist of the renovation of the Free scene with the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

Finally, the video-projections of Roberto Masotti, for years the official photographer of the Scala Opera House in Milan and author of Life-Size-Acts.