Umbria Jazz 11, Perugia 8-17 July 2011.

This year’s festival, from 8 to 17 July, promises music at the highest level. On 9 July, their only Italian date, there is a supergroup comprising Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Marcus Miller, performing a tribute to their maestro Miles Davis, twenty years from his death.

And on 12 July Carlos Santana, the inventor of Latin rock, makes a very welcome return to Perugia. On 16 July there is BB King, the most celebrated, most honoured, most imitated and most loved blues artist playing today; and preceding him onstage is Trombone Shorty, one of the rising stars of New Orleans, with his band Orleans Avenue. All of these concerts will take place at the main festival venue, the Santa Giuliana Stadium.

The famous Palio horse race dates back to 1310 and takes place twice a year: on July 2nd, (to commemorate the miracles of the Madonna of Provenzano) and on August 16th, (to honour the Assumption of the Virgin) in Piazza del Campo.The race consists of bareback riders making three circuits of the main square and it is over in 90 seconds, but it is preceded by five hours of flag-throwing acrobatics.

The excitement and passion that takes over the city during the race makes this an incredible event in Italy, one not to be missed.