The summer of 1981 marked an important season for Genoa and its jazz community. After a year’s interruption, the City Council – in collaboration with the Ente di Decentramento Culturale and the Ellington Club – relaunched the Estate Jazz Festival at Villa Imperiale. For that summer at least, the city realigned itself with the model of Europe’s major jazz festivals, presenting a programme built around leading international names. The event was part of a broader effort to revive jazz activity in the Ligurian capital. The line-up was distinguished. On 6 July, Art Pepper appeared with his quartet – George Cables on piano, David Williams on bass and Carl Burnett on drums – one of the finest groups of his final years. The closing night, 8 July, featured the duo of Franco D’Andrea and Gianluigi Trovesi, alongside a quintet led by Lee Konitz, with Art Farmer, Shelly Manne, Ross Tompkins and […]