On saturday, 18 July 2026 saw the conclusion of the first edition of Jazz Open Modena, the festival which began on 13 July and brought Stuttgart’s prestigious format to Emilia.
Conceived and organised by Jürgen Schlensog, the festival has been held in Germany without interruption since 1994 (with the sole exception of 2020, due to the pandemic) and over the years has hosted global icons not only from the world of jazz but from the wider music scene: from Pat Metheny to Santana, via B.B. King, Al Jarreau, Steely Dan, Lenny Kravitz, Mario Biondi and Bob Dylan. This year, for the very first time, the festival has ventured beyond Germany’s borders to take place in the shadow of the Ghirlandina, whilst retaining its original format and generating a great deal of excitement thanks to the staging of performances across various areas of the city.
Three stages, three souls
The beating heart of the event was the imposing main stage — 29 metres wide by 16 metres high, equipped with state-of-the-art sound, lighting and video systems — set up in a cordoned-off Piazza Roma, beneath the gaze of the monument to Ciro Menotti and the façade of the Military Academy. Alongside it were the Baluardo, dedicated to more intimate jazz performances, and the Parco Ducale Estense, reserved for free performances by emerging artists.
The opening: Diana Krall’s class and Gregory Porter’s warmth
The event was opened by Diana Krall, whose class in performing the great classics is beyond question, although there is still some room for improvement in her rapport with the audience and the media. A performance of the very highest calibre, backed by an exceptional rhythm section: Dennis Crouch on double bass — known for his legendary collaborations with T Bone Burnett, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss and Elton John — and Jay Bellerose, a drummer with a cinematic groove, renowned for his work with Ray LaMontagne and Joe Henry.
Gregory Porter got the crowd going; with his magnetic stage presence and soulful voice, he moved the audience and had them dancing, accompanied by a first-class band: Chip Crawford, Porter’s long-standing musical director, on piano; Jahmal Nichols on double bass and electric bass; Emanuel Harrold on drums; Tivon Pennicott on tenor saxophone; and Ondrej Pivec on the Hammond B3 organ.
At the same time, at the Baluardo, in a completely different atmosphere — more intimate and traditional, closer to the classic conventions of the genre — British singer Emma Smith, one of the most versatile voices in contemporary international jazz, was performing for true jazz enthusiasts, having won acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Over the following days, other high-profile acts took to the stage: Francesca Tandoi, Andrea Sabatino, Mammal Hands, Aaron Parks, Hervé Samb & Band. The Baluardo’s programme was well received by critics and the media, who described it as a sophisticated oasis for purists within a mainstream festival with a strong pop-electronic vibe.
The festival really gets into full swing: from Moby to Jean-Michel Jarre’s closing performance
The following evenings saw stars such as Moby, Jamie Cullum, Joss Stone and Luca Carboni take turns on the mega-stage in Piazza Roma. The only downside was the weather warning, which forced the organisers to cancel, for safety reasons, the eagerly awaited performance by Parov Stelar and Meute.
For the closing night, Jean-Michel Jarre staged a visionary and immersive show, blending electronic music, lighting effects and three-dimensional projections, all enhanced by the square’s architectural setting.
The Modena show was the only Italian date for the pioneer of fantasy-electronic music, whilst Krall and Porter will be repeating their shows across Italy over the summer.
The Open-Stage: a platform for emerging talent
Also worth highlighting is the success of the Open-Stage, a project aimed at promoting the regional music scene, which took place free of charge at the Giardino Ducale Estense. The emerging artists who performed were selected from those involved in projects sponsored by the Region, aimed at supporting and promoting new local talent. The line-up for the various evenings was as follows: Alex Fernet, R.Y.F., Sleap-e, Laura Agnusdei, Godblesscomputersm and C’Mon Tigre.
The figures behind a success: Modena looks to the future
The organisers’ assessment of the event is decidedly positive. Promoter Jürgen Schlensog said he was delighted with the first edition and the warm welcome they received from the city in Emilia.
The Mayor of Modena, Massimo Mezzetti, commented: “Thanks to Jazz Open, Modena has once again become the natural stage for great performers and musicians of international standing, just as it was in the 1980s and 1990s. It’s a successful venture that paves the way for future editions.”
The figures confirm the initiative’s success: a total of 25,000 attendees over the six evenings, with over 55 per cent of the audience coming from outside the region or from abroad. This influx generated an average hotel occupancy rate of over 90 per cent. The digital response was also excellent: over the past month, the official website recorded over 175,000 page views, whilst social media content exceeded 5 million views.
With this debut, Modena has officially joined the ranks of Europe’s major summer festivals. The dates have already been set: the next edition will take place from 18 to 27 July 2027, with a programme that promises to be even more extensive and ambitious.
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