Le Jazziste by Mary 🌹 lands in Bologna, Italy, celebrating ONE incredible YEAR of female-led jazz! 🦋🦋🦋
Between October and November 2024, I launched my own musical and cultural project, created to shine a light on and celebrate women in the genre that completely changed my life: jazz.
And the idea was born right here in Bologna, during my Master’s degree in Music and Theatre Studies between 2023 and 2024. It is also here that I have just spent another five intense weeks filled with music, research, and unforgettable encounters with some of my greatest sources of inspiration!
This year, I had the immense honour of meeting my piano role model Hiromi, the explosive energy of Dee Dee Bridgewater, the Billie Holiday-like elegance of Carmen Souza, and—going back to Umbria Jazz in July—the absolute queen Dianne Reeves. I still can’t quite believe it actually happened!
Hiromi Uehara, pianista
From the concert in Padova, November 2025
Dee Dee Bridgewater, singer
From the concert of the Bologna Jazz Festival, Bologna, November 2025
Carmen Souza, poli-instrumentalist and singer
From the concert of the Bologna Jazz Festival, Bologna, November 2025. With the Bolognese guitarist and composer Manu Napolitano.
Dianne Reeves, singer
From the concert of Umbria Jazz, Perugia, July 2025
And now, enjoy a few listening recommendations:
Hiromi, Seeker, from the album “Alive“, The Trio Project featuring Anthony Jackson & Simon Phillips, 2014
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nica’s dream, from the album “Love and Peace: A Tribute to Horace Silver“, 1995
Carmen Souza, Cape Verdean Blues, from the album “The Silver Messengers“, 2019
Dianne Reeves, Softly, as in a morning sunrise, from the album “I remember“, 1991
But the real magic of Bologna was also found in the everyday moments: meeting extraordinary jazzwomen and jazzmen from the city, who generously shared their time, their art, and meaningful conversations about the gender challenges that continue to shape this vast universe we call “jazz” (because we all know it’s so much more than just a word).
I am endlessly grateful for every coffee, every cup of tea, every conversation, and every spark of inspiration that this warm-hearted capital of Emilia-Romagna has given me over these five unforgettable weeks.
Now it’s time to hit the road again (in my usual wonderfully chaotic way 🧘🏻), but Bologna knows it has my whole heart, and that I can never stay away for too long… 🦢🦢🦢🎼🎼🎼
Stay tuned for the next episodes of Le Jazziste by Mary! 👋✨🌹🌹🌹🎶🎤🎧
With kindness and swing,
Mary
