The “Girolamo Frescobaldi” Conservatory of Ferrara was transformed into a laboratory of global sound. Supported by the PNRR (NextGenerationEU) and the J-Ab project, students from Ferrara, Siena Jazz, and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London stepped out of their practice rooms and into a week of intense, collaborative creation.
Under the scientific direction of Marta Raviglia, the festival focused less on perfection and more on the process – on discovering oneself through collective experience and shared artistic risk.
The Scientific Vision – A Space for Risk
Reflecting on the mission behind the week, Marta Raviglia explained:
“Jazz-Able isn’t just a series of concerts – it’s an investigation into the very nature of performance. We wanted to see what happens when you put talented strangers in a room, add a bit of pressure, and ask them to build something beautiful together. It’s about the courage to be vulnerable and the beauty of international friendship through art.”
Three Ensembles, Three Paths of Discovery
1. Roots in Motion (led by Amanda Tiffin)
Exploring the bridge between African roots and contemporary jazz, South African composer Amanda Tiffin challenged the ensemble to reconnect with their inner sense of groove.
Amanda Tiffin noted:
“I asked the students to stop looking at the sheet music and start feeling the pulse. It’s about trust – trusting the rhythm and trusting your bandmates.”
Student Ettore Baccichet (guitar) reflected:
“I definitely stepped out of my comfort zone. Exploring these grooves made me realise that, as a musician, I still have so much to discover about how I physically relate to sound.”
2. Crossing Lines (led by Simon Purcell)
UK-based trumpeter Simon Purcell centred his work on innovation and the creative synergy between different jazz traditions.
“Collaborative creation is messy and exciting,” Purcell said. “We worked under pressure to find a common language between Ferrara and London, and the result was a true fusion of spirits.”
Flutist Anastasia Cecere added:
“Creating something from scratch in just a few days was intense. It taught me how to listen differently and how to stay present in the moment, even when things get difficult.”
3. The Voice Is a Movement (led by Peter Sciscioli)
The final day transformed the ensemble into a multidisciplinary organism, merging sound with physical movement.
“I wanted the students to realise that the voice isn’t just in the throat – it’s in the whole body,” explained Peter Sciscioli. “Seeing them move together as one collective breath was a powerful transformation.”
Vocalist Dewi Franz commented:
“I discovered things about myself as a person, not just as a singer. This week showed me that music is a universal movement that connects us all.”
More Than a Festival
The week culminated at Teatro Off, where the atmosphere was electric. What had begun as a structured programme of workshops evolved into a deeply shared experience and the foundation of lasting bonds between young artists from different cultural backgrounds.
As the final notes of The Voice Is a Movement faded on Sunday evening, it was clear that the J-Ab project had achieved its aim – fostering an inclusive, international, and profoundly human approach to making music.
