I’ve been home from Italy for a few weeks now, and I’ve been thinking about how incredibly grateful I am to the @sorianojazzinstitute for bringing me to Italy for my first international tour.
What made this experience especially meaningful is *why* SJI exists.
At the heart of the Soriano Jazz Institute is a mission to introduce young people to jazz—not simply as music to listen to, but as something they can learn, play, improvise, and make their own. Through the Soriano Youth Jazz Band and its partnership with the local schools, SJI is creating opportunities for young musicians to experience this extraordinary art form firsthand.
And they’re dreaming big. Their vision is to continue building a pathway for these students all the way to an advanced Ellington Band, with the ultimate goal of bringing young Italian jazz musicians to Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.
THAT is something worth supporting.
I had the extraordinary privilege of being part of that mission this summer—performing in Soriano nel Cimino, at beautiful Lago di Piediluco, and finally in Rome. To travel to Italy, make music with wonderful Italian musicians, meet the people of Soriano, and share the music I love was an experience I will never forget.
A very special thank you to Bill Dell whose vision and generosity have helped make all of this possible, and to my dear friend @pete.swan.music SJI’s Music Director, whose passion for jazz education—and for giving young musicians the chance to discover this music—is infectious. Not to mention @florianacarnevali who seems to make all good things happen magically and who I now consider a very special new friend forever.
Thank you to everyone at the Soriano Jazz Institute who welcomed me, supported me, fed me, translated for me, laughed with me, and made me feel so completely at home.
You brought me to Italy to sing, but you gave me so much more than a tour.
I came home with new musical relationships, new friendships, and a piece of Italy that I’ll carry with me always.
Grazie di cuore.
Liz Cracchiolo
“These Boots Were Made For Walkin’”