settembre, 2026
Thelonious Monk Tribute in Rome | September 20, 2026

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Dettagli evento
Thelonious Monk Tribute in Rome with Blue Monday Trio On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Blue Monday Trio dedicates an evening to the unmistakable musical language of Thelonious
Dettagli evento
Thelonious Monk Tribute in Rome with Blue Monday Trio
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Blue Monday Trio dedicates an evening to the unmistakable musical language of Thelonious Monk. At Elegance Cafè Jazz Club, piano, double bass, and drums explore compositions that became fundamental to modern jazz, moving through rhythm, dissonance, irony, and freedom.
A Night with Thelonious Monk: jazz as an unexpected variable
Blue Monday Trio approaches the music of Thelonious Monk by beginning with its most evident quality: it could never be mistaken for the work of any other composer.
His asymmetrical melodies, angular chords, pauses, and unpredictable accents helped define new possibilities for both jazz piano and composition.
In “A Night with Thelonious Monk,” Emanuele Rizzo on piano, Giuseppe Civiletti on double bass, and Giampaolo Scatozza on drums enter this musical world without reducing it to a stylistic exercise.
The Thelonious Monk tribute in Rome on September 20, 2026, restores the character of his music through the living sound of the trio: rigorous, dynamic, ironic, and always open to the risk of improvisation.
The repertoire: Monk’s classics in trio form
The concert explores some of the most representative compositions in Monk’s repertoire:
- “‘Round Midnight”
- “Well, You Needn’t”
- “Ruby, My Dear”
- “Off Minor”
Each piece presents a different interpretive challenge. “‘Round Midnight” creates a nocturnal and contemplative space; “Well, You Needn’t” works through rhythmic interplay; “Ruby, My Dear” reveals the composer’s lyrical side; and “Off Minor” moves towards a more oblique and unpredictable harmonic language.
The trio keeps the themes and structures recognisable while treating them as open material. The piano can interrupt, redirect, or leave space; the double bass and drums do not merely accompany, but actively participate in shaping the form.
The musicians on stage

Emanuele Rizzo – piano
Emanuele Rizzo trained in classical and jazz piano at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome, graduating with the highest marks. He received the Via Vittoria Award as the institution’s best graduate of 2010 and had the opportunity to perform in the presence of Maestro Ennio Morricone.
He studied jazz with Danilo Rea, Paolo Damiani, and Cinzia Gizzi and has performed in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and China. His background, combining classical discipline and improvisational freedom, makes him particularly well suited to the complex balance of Monk’s music.
Giuseppe Civiletti – double bass
Giuseppe Civiletti studied classical double bass with Massimo Giorgi, Luca Cola, and Daniele Roccato, while developing his jazz language with Furio Di Castri, Attilio Zanchi, Gianluca Renzi, and Stefano Cantarano.
He has performed with symphonic orchestras and ensembles working across jazz, pop, and gypsy jazz. His projects have included Gipsy Italien, Radical Gipsy, Orchestra Notturna Clandestina, Emmet Ray Manouche Orchestra, Conosci Mia Cugina, and Legacy Gipsy Trio.
The breadth of his experience allows him to support the trio with solidity while contributing melodically and rhythmically.
Giampaolo Scatozza – drums
Giampaolo Scatozza is a versatile drummer whose career spans jazz, pop, electronic music, and composition. In the pop field, he has collaborated with artists including Paul Young, Tom Jones, Curiosity Killed the Cat, and Groove Armada.
In jazz, he has shared the stage with Trevor Watts, Evan Parker, Gilad Atzmon, Michael Olatuja, Kellylee Evans, and Four80East. His recording project Travels, composed entirely of original pieces, reflects a musical vision combining tradition and personal exploration.
In “A Night with Thelonious Monk,” his versatile approach highlights the irregular accents, silences, and sudden rhythmic shifts found throughout the repertoire.
A trio built on dialogue
Monk’s music does not allow for passive accompaniment. Every instrument must listen and respond.
In Blue Monday Trio, the piano introduces a theme but can also dismantle it; the double bass defines the movement without limiting itself to a regular pulse; and the drums intervene through space, accents, and suspension.
The concert therefore unfolds as an open conversation. The most recognisable elements of the compositions remain present, but they are continuously reconsidered through the interaction of the musicians.
It is a performance for listeners who love modern jazz, as well as for anyone wishing to understand why Monk’s music continues to surprise even after repeated listening.
Dinner and concert for a different Sunday evening in Rome
Sunday evening can become an opportunity to slow down and bring the weekend to a close in an unconventional way.
The dinner-and-concert package includes two à la carte courses selected from starters, first courses, and main courses. The final price depends on the chosen dishes.
Elegance Cafè’s cuisine combines Italian roots with international influences, paying particular attention to Creole and Cajun traditions, spices, and seasonality. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Alternatively, the drink-and-concert package, priced at €25, allows guests to follow the live performance with one of the club’s original cocktails.
The atmosphere of Elegance Cafè
Monk’s music lives through detail: a displaced accent, a sudden pause, a note left to resonate. The acoustics at Elegance Cafè allow these elements to be heard with precision.
The room combines the comfort of a lounge with the concentration of a venue dedicated to listening. The proximity of the stage makes the trio’s interaction clearly visible and allows the audience to follow the concert not only as a performance, but as a musical process in constant development.
In focus: Thelonious Monk and the birth of modern jazz
By the late 1940s, Monk was already being presented as a figure capable of anticipating a new jazz language. His compositions gradually established him within the bebop scene and eventually made him one of the central reference points of jazz modernity.
His instrumental style combined authority, lightness, and a personal use of space. Melodies could appear irregular, chords deliberately angular, and rhythm subject to sudden displacement.
Blue Monday Trio enters this complexity without attempting to make it conventional. The project instead emphasises the contrast between strength and delicacy, structure and freedom, sound and silence that runs throughout Monk’s repertoire.
Practical information and reservations
Venue: Elegance Cafè Jazz Club
Address: Via Francesco Carletti, 5, Rome
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Venue opens: 6:00 pm
Dinner: from 7:00 pm
Concert begins: 9:30 pm
Available packages:
- Drink and concert: €25
- Dinner and concert: two à la carte courses; price varies according to selection
Reserve your table for “A Night with Thelonious Monk” and end the weekend with modern jazz, signature cuisine, and the close-up sound of Blue Monday Trio.
Jazz Concert Rome September 20 2026
with
Thelonious Monk tribute with Blue Monday trio
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.
or
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.
