This coming weekend, the Saxophone Museum in Fiumicino will become a focal point for music enthusiasts as it hosts two days dedicated to celebrating the rich sounds of one of the most revered wind instruments, the saxophone. The events, scheduled for Saturday, May 4th, and Sunday, May 5th, aim to blend music, education, and jazz history in a dynamic showcase.
The weekend kicks off on Saturday at 6:30 PM with a performance by the Jam Session band, an exceptional ensemble comprised of thirteen young musicians. This free concert is open to the public and stands as a homage to the power of music as a universal language, a cultural bridge, and a tool for social integration. Featuring a vibrant and energetic repertoire that includes some of the most celebrated pieces by Duke Ellington, Robert Johnson, Joan Tizol, Dizzy Gillespie, Walter Donaldson, Kansas J McCoy, and Herbie Hancock, the performance is a result of a collaboration with the Jam Session music school, one of the largest and most prestigious in Bologna and the entire region of Emilia Romagna. Reservations for the event are recommended due to limited seating availability.
On Sunday, May 5th, the museum offers a full day immersed in the world of the saxophone, showcasing over 600 musical instruments from the world’s largest collection of this beloved instrument. This event is part of a unique cultural initiative supported by the Lazio Region, aimed at bringing the museum’s collections to life through guided tours scheduled for 11:00 AM and a special concert entitled “Conversaxioni” at 6:30 PM. This performance combines storytelling, anecdotes, and music, transforming the instruments into narrators of the museum’s genesis and the saxophone’s fascinating evolution. Like the Saturday event, Sunday’s activities are free with the purchase of a museum ticket, and reservations are advised to secure attendance.
The Saxophone Museum stands as a testament to the instrument’s versatile role across musical genres, courtesy of Attilio Berni, the world’s preeminent saxophone collector. Visitors can marvel at rare and unusual instruments, ranging from the diminutive 32cm Soprillo to the colossal Sub-Contrabass J’Elle Stainer, including prototypes by saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax and legendary pieces from Conn, Selmer, and other prestigious manufacturers. Berni’s museum successfully marries history, science, and entertainment, offering a cultural space that resonates with the soulful essence of the saxophone.
Attilio Berni, a renowned saxophonist and clarinet graduate from the “S. Cecilia” Conservatory of Music in Rome, has devoted his life to preserving and researching the saxophone and similar wind instruments since 1993. His work has led to collaborations with notable manufacturers such as L.A. SAX in Los Angeles and Roling’s in Italy, as well as appearances in films and television projects like “The Legend of 1900” by Giuseppe Tornatore and “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Anthony Minghella. In addition to media contributions, Berni has organized exhibitions and lectures at various conservatories and musical forums across Italy and internationally, further cementing his status as a custodian of saxophone heritage.
This weekend’s events at the Fiumicino Saxophone Museum promise to be an enlightening experience for jazz aficionados, music historians, and anyone intrigued by the cultural impact of this “endoscopic” instrument, which continues to charm and innovate within the global music scene.