dicembre, 2026
Live Jazz in Rome December 26: Ella & Louis Christmas Swing

Orario
Dettagli evento
Looking for live jazz in Rome on Saturday, December 26, 2026, during the Christmas holidays? Celebrate Boxing Day, known in Italy as Santo Stefano, with ELLA & LOUIS –
Dettagli evento
Looking for live jazz in Rome on Saturday, December 26, 2026, during the Christmas holidays?
Celebrate Boxing Day, known in Italy as Santo Stefano, with ELLA & LOUIS – WISHING YOU A SWINGING HOLIDAY, a special Christmas jazz concert inspired by the timeless musical world of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
At Elegance Cafè Jazz Club, vocalists Monica Gilardi and Pierluca Buonfrate bring the charm of their Ella & Louis and Other Duets project to the festive season, accompanied by Pierpaolo Principato on piano, Marco Loddo on bass and Alfredo Romeo on drums.
An evening of Christmas jazz classics, romantic melodies, swinging rhythms and the elegance of the Great American Songbook, combined with gourmet dining and signature cocktails in an intimate Rome jazz club.
Saturday, December 26, 2026 · Boxing Day / St. Stephen’s Day · Rome, Italy
- Doors open: 6:00 PM
- Dinner service: From 7:00 PM
- Live jazz concert: 9:30 PM
- Drink + Concert: €30 per person, including admission, a table and one eligible drink
- Dinner + Concert: At least two à la carte courses per person, with the concert included; price depends on your menu choices
RESERVE YOUR TABLE FOR DECEMBER 26
Ella & Louis – Wishing You a Swinging Holiday: Christmas jazz in Rome
Some voices become inseparable from the history of music.
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong are among them: two extraordinary artists whose recordings continue to represent the warmth, elegance and expressive freedom of vocal jazz.
Their musical partnership gave the world memorable interpretations of American standards, combining two unmistakable personalities with an exceptional sense of rhythm and musical conversation.
Ella & Louis – Wishing You a Swinging Holiday celebrates that legacy through a special Christmas edition of the project Ella & Louis and Other Duets.
Vocalists Monica Gilardi and Pierluca Buonfrate bring their own interpretation to this musical world, revisiting the spirit of the great duets and adding the warmth of the holiday season.
The performance brings together Christmas jazz standards, songs associated with Ella and Louis, and some of the most beautiful melodies from the Great American Songbook.
Accompanied by piano, bass and drums, the two singers explore the distinctive pleasure of vocal interplay: exchanging musical phrases, responding to one another and sharing the expressive character of each song.
The result is an elegant but lively concert, combining romantic ballads, swinging rhythms and an atmosphere that recalls the classic jazz clubs of New York.
It is a celebration of jazz, Christmas and the enduring pleasure of great songs performed live.
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: a timeless jazz partnership
The musical partnership between Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong occupies a special place in the history of jazz.
Fitzgerald’s remarkable melodic precision, expressive range and effortless phrasing met Armstrong’s distinctive voice, personality and rhythmic imagination.
Their contrasting musical approaches complemented one another, creating interpretations that remain beloved across generations.
Their celebrated recordings, including the 1956 album Ella and Louis, helped establish their partnership as one of the defining examples of jazz vocal collaboration.
At the heart of their success was the ability to transform a song into a conversation.
One singer introduced an idea, the other responded; familiar melodies gained personality through timing, warmth and a natural sense of musical partnership.
This spirit inspires the December 26 performance.
Monica Gilardi and Pierluca Buonfrate do not attempt to reproduce the original recordings note for note.
Instead, their interpretations celebrate the musical qualities that made Ella and Louis so extraordinary, using their own voices and musical personalities to explore that legacy.
The festive edition adds another dimension: the warmth and familiarity of Christmas songs interpreted through swing and jazz.
Christmas jazz classics, swing and the Great American Songbook
The Christmas season has a long connection with jazz.
Its best-loved melodies can become elegant ballads, playful swing numbers or intimate vocal interpretations, depending on the personality of the performers.
For Wishing You a Swinging Holiday, the programme brings together three musical traditions.
Christmas jazz and holiday favourites
Christmas standards are an essential part of the evening’s atmosphere.
Swing rhythms, expressive vocals and the natural interaction of the five musicians bring a festive character to familiar holiday melodies.
Some interpretations invite a more reflective mood, while others capture the cheerful energy associated with Christmas celebrations.
The spirit of Ella & Louis
The musical dialogue between the two vocalists takes inspiration from the legendary partnership between Fitzgerald and Armstrong.
Alternating voices and shared interpretations create moments of contrast, warmth and musical connection.
The focus is on the quality of the songs and the pleasure of performing them together.
Great American Songbook classics
The programme also celebrates the rich tradition of American popular song, from romantic standards to melodies that have become an essential part of the jazz repertoire.
These compositions provide the ideal setting for expressive singing, instrumental accompaniment and moments of musical interplay.
An exact song-by-song setlist has not been announced. The confirmed artistic concept includes Christmas jazz classics, music inspired by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and selections from the Great American Songbook.
Together, these elements create a concert designed for both dedicated jazz lovers and visitors who simply wish to enjoy beautiful live music during the Christmas holidays.
Meet the musicians: two voices and a jazz trio
The December 26 concert features five musicians.
Pierluca Buonfrate – Vocals
Pierluca Buonfrate is one of the two vocal protagonists of the project.
His interpretation contributes to the musical dialogue inspired by Louis Armstrong and the great tradition of swing singing.
Throughout the performance, his voice alternates between individual melodic expression and shared passages with Monica Gilardi.
Monica Gilardi – Vocals
Monica Gilardi brings her interpretation of jazz and swing repertoire to the project.
Her voice explores the expressive qualities of the melodies, creating a natural conversation with Pierluca Buonfrate.
Together, the two singers give the programme its distinctive character, combining warmth, musicality and vocal interplay.

Pierpaolo Principato – Piano
Pierpaolo Principato provides the harmonic foundation of the ensemble.
The piano supports the vocal interpretations and adds colour to the arrangements, from intimate ballads to more rhythmic swing passages.
Marco Loddo – Bass
Marco Loddo contributes the harmonic and rhythmic foundation on bass.
His playing connects the musical ideas of the piano and drums, supporting the singers and maintaining the natural movement of the ensemble.
Alfredo Romeo – Drums
Alfredo Romeo completes the instrumental trio on drums.
His rhythmic contribution shapes the energy and dynamics of the performance, supporting both the romantic and lively sides of the repertoire.
Together, the five musicians offer a personal interpretation of the jazz vocal tradition, enriched by the festive atmosphere of Christmas.
Dinner and live jazz in Rome: Christmas at Elegance Cafè
A Christmas jazz concert deserves a setting where music, dining and atmosphere come together naturally.
At Elegance Cafè Jazz Club, in Rome’s Ostiense district near Piramide, guests can enjoy live jazz in an intimate venue with refined dining and a cocktail bar inspired by the American speakeasy tradition.
The restaurant’s cuisine, led by Chef Marco Roselli, draws inspiration from the Creole and Cajun traditions of the American South, interpreted through a contemporary culinary approach.
The bar complements the experience with signature cocktails influenced by the Prohibition era, creating a natural connection with the world of classic American jazz and swing.
Soft lighting, carefully designed acoustics and seating close to the stage provide an inviting setting for an evening of music and conversation.
For Saturday, December 26, guests can choose between two booking options.
Dinner + Concert
Enjoy at least two à la carte courses per person, selected from the restaurant menu.
The live jazz concert is included in this option, and the final dinner price depends on the dishes selected.
Dinner service begins at 7:00 PM, before the live concert at 9:30 PM.
This is an appealing choice for couples, visitors and guests looking for a complete dining and entertainment experience during the Christmas holidays.
Drink + Concert – €30 per person
Includes concert admission, a table and one eligible drink, such as a cocktail from the selected drink list, a glass of wine or a beer.
Arrival for this option is scheduled between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM.
Discover more about our restaurant with live music in Rome.
Things to do in Rome on Boxing Day – December 26, 2026
Spending Christmas in Rome and wondering what to do on December 26?
In Italy, December 26 is Santo Stefano, or St. Stephen’s Day, a public holiday that extends the Christmas celebrations.
For British visitors, it is the date commonly known as Boxing Day.
After a day spent exploring the city, enjoying holiday traditions or meeting family and friends, an evening of live jazz offers an elegant way to continue the celebrations.
Ella & Louis – Wishing You a Swinging Holiday combines the familiar warmth of Christmas music with the timeless charm of classic American jazz.
For couples, the romantic melodies and expressive vocal duets create an inviting atmosphere for an evening together.
For jazz enthusiasts, the concert offers a tribute to two of the most beloved voices in music history.
For international visitors, it provides an opportunity to discover Rome’s contemporary live music scene in the Ostiense neighbourhood, away from the busiest tourist streets.
The combination of dinner, swing and Christmas atmosphere makes the evening particularly appealing to those looking for a memorable holiday experience.
Rather than simply visiting another bar or restaurant, guests can enjoy a complete evening with five musicians on stage, refined dining and a concert inspired by the golden era of vocal jazz.
Explore more ideas for a romantic dinner in Rome.
Event details and reservations – December 26, 2026
Event: Ella & Louis – Wishing You a Swinging Holiday
Occasion: Boxing Day / St. Stephen’s Day Special
Date: Saturday, December 26, 2026
Music: Christmas jazz, vocal swing, Great American Songbook
Venue: Elegance Cafè Jazz Club
Address: Via Francesco Carletti, 5 – 00154 Rome, Italy
Neighbourhood: Ostiense / Piramide
Line-up
- Pierluca Buonfrate – Vocals
- Monica Gilardi – Vocals
- Pierpaolo Principato – Piano
- Marco Loddo – Bass
- Alfredo Romeo – Drums
Schedule
- Doors open: 6:00 PM
- Dinner service: From 7:00 PM
- Live concert: 9:30 PM
- Drink + Concert arrival: 9:00–9:30 PM
Booking options
- Drink + Concert: €30 per person, including admission, a table and one eligible drink.
- Dinner + Concert: At least two à la carte courses per person, with the performance included. Final price depends on menu choices.
Telephone information:
BOOK YOUR BOXING DAY JAZZ EVENING
Celebrate the Christmas season with the charm of Ella & Louis, the warmth of great vocal jazz and the unmistakable rhythm of swing.
Christmas sounds better with swing.
Discover more live jazz concerts in Rome at Elegance Cafè Jazz Club.
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.
