The Jazz Waves program of Pula’s Summer Cultural Season continues on Saturday, May 31, with a concert by the Rosario Giuliani Quartet at the Small Roman Theatre.

The audience will have the opportunity to hear one of the most acclaimed Italian and European alto saxophonists of today, known for his powerful sound, virtuosity, and emotional expression. Giuliani’s style blends classic jazz tradition with modern approaches, often evoking the spirit of greats like Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, and Jackie McLean.

Born in Terracina, Italy, in 1967, Giuliani graduated from the “L. Refice” Conservatory in Frosinone.

His quartet is one of the most prominent and long-standing jazz ensembles on the European scene, offering the perfect setting for Giuliani’s strong improvisation, passionate expression, and creative ensemble leadership.

Their music ranges from bebop and post-bop to lyrical ballads, complex rhythms, free improvisation, and solid structures. Giuliani balances emotional depth with technical brilliance, while also giving each band member space for personal expression.

The quartet usually features:

• Rosario Giuliani – alto saxophone

• Pietro Lussu – piano

• Dario Deidda – double bass

• Sasha Mashin – drums

These musicians represent the crème de la crème of Italian jazz, each with acclaimed solo careers. Their chemistry shines especially in live performances, where improvisation often goes beyond the framework of original compositions. Their concerts can range from intimate to fiery and explosive, depending on the venue and the audience.

Critics describe them as a European ensemble rooted in American jazz, yet unmistakably imbued with an authentic Italian sensibility.

The group will present their latest album, Logbook – Live at Sounds, released on June 14, 2024, by the Belgian label Hypnote Records.

This live album was recorded at the legendary Sounds jazz club in Brussels—a venue of special significance to Giuliani, who first performed there in 1996 as a young saxophonist, forging a lifelong connection with the Belgian jazz scene.