Serravalle: a hamlet in music

For over twenty years, the village of Serravalle Pistoiese has been known to music lovers for Serravalle Jazz, a festival dedicated to the Italian and contemporary jazz scene, held at the evocative setting of the Rocca Nuova in late August.

Founded in 2001 through a musical and organizational partnership with Barga Jazz and its Big Band, the festival has hosted prominent names from both the Italian and international jazz world, such as Tullio De Piscopo, Lee Konitz, Enrico Rava, Renato Sellani (in whose memory a special award is presented annually), Kenny Wheeler, John Surman, Gianluca Petrella, Giovanni Guidi, Fabrizio Bosso, and Danilo Rea.

Over the years, special attention has also been given to top-level Tuscan musicians, including Nico Gori, Mauro Grossi, Riccardo Tesi, Barbara Casini, Stefano “Cocco” Cantini, Jacopo Fagioli, and many others.

Each edition revolves around a central theme, and the program features not only concerts but also artist talks, book presentations, and opportunities for deeper exploration, creating a rich and engaging experience for both jazz enthusiasts and newcomers to this extraordinary genre that has shaped music history.

From Jazz to Rock

Since 2016, at the end of July, the Serravalle Rock Festival has taken place—an event that stands out for its attentive and curious approach to the Italian independent music scene. Over the years, the stage at the Rocca di Castruccio has hosted internationally renowned bands, including Karma, Platonick Dive, Small Jackets, and The Devils, as well as acclaimed artists such as Emma Nolde and Andrea Chimenti.

There have also been forays into the international music scene, featuring guests of the calibre of Vök, Priest, Holy Nothing, Thomas Frank Hopper, Louise Lemón, and Conny Ochs.

Serravalle Rock

From Rock to Opera

For lovers of classical music and opera, at the end of June, the walls of the Rocca Nuova come alive with the arias of the most famous composers—from Mozart to Mascagni, from Puccini to Verdi—during Serravalle Opera.

There’s Room for Blues Too

For several years now, Blues Clinics have also been held in Serravalle. This educational project was created in collaboration with the Pistoia Blues Festival.