The Eddie Lang Jazz Festival is a musical event held every August in Monteroduni, in the province of Isernia, in the charming gardens of the Pignatelli Castle. The festival is named after Eddie Lang, a famous jazz guitarist of Monteroduni descent who was born in Philadelphia as Salvatore Massaro.
Thanks to the contribution of historian Adriano Mazzoletti, who made his lineage known, the festival was officially founded in 1991. Over the years, the event has welcomed internationally renowned artists, including Michel Petrucciani, John Scofield, Jim Hall, Fontella Bass, Benny Golson, Marcus Miller, Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Locke, Richard Bona, Randy Brecker and Hiram Bullock. One of the highlights was Petrucciani’s concert, among the last of his career, which took place right in the castle gardens.
In addition to concerts, the festival promotes young talent through an international competition for jazz guitarists. Winners include Alessio Menconi, Rocco Zifarelli and Giuseppe Mirabella. Since 2007, the festival has also offered advanced seminars and master classes with some of the world’s leading guitarists, attracting students from all over Italy.
Thanks to its long tradition and the quality of the artistic proposal, the Eddie Lang Jazz Festival has established itself as one of the most prestigious jazz events in Italy, keeping alive the memory of Eddie Lang and the link between Monteroduni and great international jazz music.