In this programme

• From Sicily to Melbourne — A Journey Through the Sicilian Legacy of Jazz

  Conceived by Sicilian-born drummer/composer Sandro Giambruno, this project celebrates Sicilian musicians' influence on jazz, starting with Nick La Rocca and the Original Dixieland Jass Band and continuing through figures like Louis Prima and Chick Corea. It combines newly arranged early jazz repertoire, original compositions and storytelling to reflect on migration and cultural identity.

  Sat, 17 Oct, 2:00 pm

• CASA: Finding Home

  Casa: Finding Home is a new musical project by Melbourne trumpeter Gianni Marinucci exploring identity, migration and belonging through the lens of his family's Italian-Australian story. Inspired by the experiences of his parents, who migrated from Italy to Australia in the 1960s, the project reflects on growing up between two cultures and the enduring question: Where is home? Combining original compositions, reimagined Italian songs and jazz, Casa blends music with personal storytelling to explore family, memory and cultural identity. While rooted in one family's experience, the project speaks to the broader Australian story of migration and the many ways we define home.

  Sat, 17 Oct, 4:00 pm

• Che Belle Corde! Swinging on the Strings Jazz Concert

  A concert paying tribute to early Italian-American jazz guitar pioneers such as Eddie Lang (born Salvatore Massaro) and Nick Lucas (Domenico Lucanese), tracing how the mandolin craze and migration from Southern Italy to New York shaped the development of the archtop guitar in jazz, with a nod to later players like Harry Volpe, Bucky Pizzarelli and Joe Pass.

  Sat, 17 Oct, 6:00 pm

• Cinema Italiano: Jazz Impressions from the Italian Screen

  A celebration of Italy's cultural legacy through jazz and cinematic storytelling, drawing on the music of Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota alongside original compositions by Steve Rando, reinterpreted through contemporary jazz improvisation rather than direct reproduction of familiar film themes.

  Sun, 18 Oct, 2:00 pm

• Heritage

  A personal reflection by pianist Phil Turcio on his lifelong connection to Italy, shaped by living in Sorrento as a child and later returning to study piano, celebrating the memories, culture and family heritage that inspire his musical identity.

  Sun, 18 Oct, 4:00 pm

• Bloodlines

  A project led by Melbourne trumpeter/composer/bandleader Ashley Ballat, honouring her grandparents and their varied migration stories. It weaves original modern compositions with archival voice recordings of family gatherings, calls and interviews, combining new and old instruments (trumpet, guitar, percussion, drums, electronics) to explore intergenerational memory and heritage.

  Sun, 18 Oct, 6:00 pm