IMF Foundation
The IMF Foundation dates back to 2006, and was founded on the basis of thirty years of international Jazz festival experience in the organization of major contemporary music and art events. A cultural organization which has become a point of reference over the years on the international stage, thanks to fruitful collaborations with national and international cultural associations. The Fondazione Musica per Roma is one such association which has organized festivals and exhibitions in the Auditorium - Parco della Musica, a multifunctional venue known all over the world under the tutelage of Renzo Piano.
Roma Jazz Festival
The
Roma Jazz Festival was born in 1976 as part of the “Estate Romana” concert series. Since then it has become the most important jazz festival of its kind in the capital city, not to say in the world of Jazz. Before its arrival in the Auditorium Parco della Musica in 2004 the festival had been around the Eternal city: Eur Palazzo della Civiltà, Foro Italico and Stadio del Tennis. In 1996 the festival changed its summer wardrobe for something a little more autumnal: the music became more …. “musical” and reflective. The Rome Jazz Festival has put on over 1000 concerts over the last 35 editions, delighting over one million people. The best of the best have appeared on stage in their shows. We are talking about the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, John Mc Laughlin, Manhattan Transfer, George Benson, Gerry Mulligan, Richard Galliano, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Norah Jones and Wayne Shorter.
Roma Gospel Festival
We must thank the Rome Gospel Festival, which dates from 1995, for introducing gospel music to Rome. They used to play in the Ostiense Air Terminal and later in Chiesa Anglican di San Paolo entro le mura. From 2004 on, they had an extraordinary impact on the public and critics alike at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, which resulted in international recognition. Their mission was to play music in “sacred” places of the eternal city, playing in unusual places like: Piazza del Pantheon, Piazza Vittorio and Piazza di Spagna, spreading their musical message to a multitude. Gospel and spiritual artists such as the Jackson Singers, Robin Brown and Triumphany Delegation, Bridgette Campbell & Windy City Gospel Choir, Sjuwana Byers & Children of God, Virginia Mass Choir, Gospel Music, Earnest Pugh & the Assembly, Donald Woods & His People, Voices of Deliverance Choir, Anthony Morgan’s Inspiration Choir of Harlem, Soweto Gospel Choir have featured prominently among the many artists who have graced Festival stages.
Neu.Jazz
The Roma Jazz Festival for the 35th edition widens his horizon and looks to Europe. Neu means New European Jazz and aims to know the most interesting musicians of the European landscape. The project was born thanks to the synergy and collaboration with leading international jazz associations, European embassies and cultural institutes with the aim of creating an intense cultural exchange. For the first year we worked with Afijma (Association des Festivals Innovants en Jazz et Musiques Actuelles), Danish Embassy, Jazz Danmark, Dime (Dutch Italian Music Exchange), The Austrian Cultural Forum Rome, Cervantes, Embassy of Finland, Goethe Institute , King of Nederland. The Festival
program takes place also in the jazz clubs of Rome to engage an audience large and give rise to an intense dialogue between cultures through music.
Temporaneo
Contemporary Art, often with strong musical links, represents one of the most dynamic sectors under development at the IMF Foundation, thanks to the professionalism of its leading figures, be they University, Embassy, or National / International Cultural representatives. Since 2010, in collaboration with the Nomas Foundation and Roma Capitale, Temporaneo has been created: a rich statement of contemporary art by young international artists which proposes unexpected confrontations within the urban fabric in the most important public places of our capital city. The idea is to introduce avant-garde architectural ideas in a classic environment: to propose a phoenix which could rise from the ashes.
Exhibition
- “Esposizione Universale del Jazz” March 2004 Porto Antico, Teatro Carlo Felice Genova. A graphic art and Jazz exhibition featuring works by such famous artists as Renato Mambor, Ugo Nespolo, Mark Kostabi, Pablo Eucharen and the collection of Montreal jazz posters as well as the Polish manifestos from the Kryszof Dydo collection.
- “Crepax and Jazz”, November 2005 – Auditorium Arte – Parco della Musica Roma. An exhibition dedicated to the relationship between the creator of the cartoon sex symbol ‘Valentina’, Guido Crepax and his passion for jazz music. 48 original prints from the cartoon story “The Harlem Man” dedicated to Charlie Parker; 10 prints of the cartoon story “None” where Valentina is together with the great interpreters of Jazz; two prints from the cartoon story “Rembrandt and the witches” with Valentina and Archie Shepp were exhibited together with their covers by Crepax , the first one drawn in 1954. The sound track for this special exhibition was chosen by Crepax from his favourite songs and was recorded in the disk entitled “ My funny Valentine – The Jazz I love”.
- "Creative inspiration", November 2011 – Auditorium Arte – Parco della Musica Roma. Jazz has ever been a unique source of inspiration for Italian artists, as is evidenced in works paying homage to Jazz by artists such as Renato Guttuso, Michelangelo Pistoletto and Giancarlo Cazzaniga or great graphic artists such as Guido Crepax, Francesco Tullio Altan and Gaetano Cassaro. The exhibition throws some light on the liaison d’élite between Jazz music and Italian Art, going beyond artistic vision and opening the door to more emotional and conceptual expressions. The works of the following artists are exhibited: Mimmo Rotella, Gastone Novelli, Renato Mambor, Piero Dorazio, Arturo Carmassi, Pablo Echaurren, Nicola De Maria.
Services
IMF boasts over thirty years of experience in the field of music, contemporary art and entertainment. Its team of experts is available for associations, companies and local groups who would like to organize successful artistic events of great. Their experience is vast, their record speaks for itself.
Consultation facilities are available for:
- Step by step detailed event planning and organization.
- Artistic direction
- Financial management and cash flow control
