September, 2026
Bill Evans Tribute in Rome | September 30, 2026

Time
Event Details
Bill Evans Tribute in Rome with Emanuele Rizzo Trio On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Emanuele Rizzo Trio presents “Tribute to Evans” at Elegance Cafè Jazz Club. A
Event Details
Bill Evans Tribute in Rome with Emanuele Rizzo Trio
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Emanuele Rizzo Trio presents “Tribute to Evans” at Elegance Cafè Jazz Club. A tribute to Bill Evans shaped by poetry, harmonic exploration, and musical dialogue, featuring some of his most admired works and available with either dinner and concert or drink and concert.
The concert: a tribute to Bill Evans through poetry and vision
Bill Evans is one of the most profound and influential figures in postwar jazz.
His lyrical piano style, daring harmonic structures, and almost painterly sensitivity left a legacy that continues to inspire generations of pianists.
“Tribute to Evans” does more than simply remember that legacy. The Emanuele Rizzo Trio seeks to explore it, reinterpret it, and project it toward new directions.
The concert becomes a living journey. The memory of Evans remains clearly recognizable, yet it is reshaped through new influences, harmonic variations, and fresh improvisational possibilities.
The trio as a conversation
One of the defining elements of Bill Evans’s musical language is the equal relationship between the musicians.
Piano, double bass, and drums do not follow a rigid hierarchy. Instead, they participate in a conversation in which every idea can be received, transformed, and offered back in a new form.
Emanuele Rizzo Trio works with this same concept. The piano opens harmonic spaces; the double bass responds as an independent voice; and the drums do more than mark time, helping to shape the atmosphere and direction of the music.
The audience witnesses a creative process unfolding in real time, built on listening, respect, and mutual response.
The evening’s repertoire
The program includes Waltz for Debby, probably the best-known composition associated with Evans, together with:
- Peace Piece
- Nardis
- My Foolish Heart
- Autumn Leaves
- Very Early
- Turn Out the Stars
- Time Remembered
The repertoire alternates intimate pieces, more spacious moments, and rhythmic developments.
Each composition is approached as an open space in which the trio can reveal new nuances without losing its original lyrical character.
The musicians on stage
- Emanuele Rizzo – piano
- Giuseppe Civiletti – double bass
- Vincenzo Pellegrino – drums
Emanuele Rizzo
A graduate in both classical and jazz piano from the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, Emanuele Rizzo completed his studies with the highest marks.
He studied with musicians including Danilo Rea, Paolo Damiani, and Cinzia Gizzi.
He received the Via Vittoria Award as the most outstanding graduate of 2010 and has performed in Italy and abroad.
In “Tribute to Evans,” he places a style of piano playing at the center in which romanticism, harmonic sensitivity, and improvisational spontaneity coexist.
His approach does not attempt to reproduce Evans’s touch literally. Instead, it embraces his attitude toward listening, his depth, and his ability to turn every harmonic passage into an expressive space.
Giuseppe Civiletti
Giuseppe Civiletti’s background includes both classical double bass and jazz studies.
He has collaborated with symphonic orchestras, chamber ensembles, and numerous projects associated with jazz and gypsy jazz.
In “Tribute to Evans,” the double bass takes on a melodic and conversational role.
It is not simply the rhythmic foundation of the trio, but an independent voice called upon to interact directly with the piano.
Vincenzo Pellegrino
Vincenzo Pellegrino began his musical career in the early 1980s, developing much of his artistic path as a self-taught musician before further exploring the language of jazz.
After a long break, he gradually resumed performing in 2014 and became involved in the Roman jazz scene.
With the “Tribute to Evans” project, he also organized a benefit concert in 2022 in collaboration with Fondarc and Save the Children in support of Ukrainian children.
In 2023, he promoted a project devoted to Massimo Urbani, involving emerging musicians from the Italian jazz scene.
His exploration of Bill Evans’s repertoire grew from a desire to present its most significant moments through a contemporary interpretation.
Dinner and concert: an evening devoted to listening
The drink and concert package, priced at €25, allows guests to enjoy the live performance with a cocktail or another selection from the bar.
The dinner and concert package includes two à la carte courses selected from starters, first courses, and main courses. The final price varies according to the dishes chosen.
Chef Marco Roselli’s cuisine combines Italian tradition, international influences, and Creole and Cajun inspiration.
Spices are used with balance, while the menu changes according to the seasonality of the ingredients.
The atmosphere at Elegance Cafè
Bill Evans’s repertoire is shaped by detail, silence, and subtle dynamics.
The carefully designed acoustics at Elegance Cafè allow these elements to emerge, making it possible to hear both the quietest passages and the most intense developments.
The proximity between audience and musicians makes the concert particularly immersive.
Soft lighting, warm materials, and lounge-style comfort complete a setting suited to an intimate evening, a romantic dinner, or a special occasion.
In-depth focus: from memory to creation
More than forty years after Bill Evans’s death, his music continues to offer inexhaustible possibilities.
“Tribute to Evans” begins with gratitude toward the master but avoids turning the repertoire into something static.
Pieces such as Waltz for Debby, Peace Piece, and Time Remembered become opportunities to continue a musical dialogue.
The tribute is transformed into creation: memory suggests a direction, while improvisation opens the path toward a different outcome every time.
Practical information and reservations
Event: Tribute to Evans – Emanuele Rizzo Trio
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Venue: Elegance Cafè Jazz Club
Address: Via Francesco Carletti 5, Rome
Venue opens: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner service: from 7:00 p.m.
Concert begins: 9:30 p.m.
Drink and concert: €25
Dinner and concert: two à la carte courses, variable price
Enter Bill Evans’s lyrical and harmonic world through a vivid, contemporary interpretation. Reserve your table for “Tribute to Evans” and choose between the drink and concert or dinner and concert package.
Jazz Concert Rome September 30 2026
with
Tribute to Bill Evans
Book your table for the à la carte dinner:
Alternatively you can call (39) 3791360278
or (39) 0657284458.
With 2 courses of your choice among starter, first course and main course, the concert is included.
Drink & Concert package also available at €25.
FAQ
Are there vegetarian/vegan options on the menu?
Yes, vegetarian dishes are available, and vegan options can be provided upon request.
Can I have dinner during the jazz concert?
Yes, each evening offers either a dinner + concert or a drink + concert option. We recommend booking in advance to secure your table.
Can I purchase a gift card?
Yes, gift cards are available for all scheduled events, except New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, tables are limited to ensure an intimate and high-quality experience.
How can I stay updated on upcoming events?
You can subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on the best jazz concerts in Rome and upcoming events at Elegance Cafè Jazz Club.
Is the venue accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes, Elegance Cafè is accessible to guests with reduced mobility. Please mention any specific needs when making your reservation.
What time does the concert start?
The concert starts at 9:30 PM, but the aperitivo is available from 6:00 PM and dinner from 7:00 PM.
