Sacra in Jazz is Santi Scarcella’s project dedicated to reimagining some of the most beloved Sunday liturgical songs through the language of jazz, in anticipation of the Jubilee 2025.
Conceived by Don Mario Mesolella in close collaboration with Maestro Santi Scarcella, Sacra in Jazz is an artistic and cultural project that embarks on a compelling journey through the vibrant rhythms of Jazz, Pop and Rock, intertwined with the spiritual depth of liturgical music.
Songs such as È solo un uomo, Symbolum 77, Dolce Sentire, Andate per le strade, Santo, Madre fiducia nostra, Ti ringrazio mio Signore, Quale Gioia and È bello—well-known staples of Sunday worship—are reinterpreted through original jazz arrangements. Alongside these pieces, the program includes original compositions by Scarcella that share a profound spiritual dimension and naturally blend with this musical universe.
Sacra in Jazz is also an opportunity to reaffirm and promote the identity of the Christian artist in the contemporary world, capable more than ever of “building bridges of beauty and peace between faith and culture,” echoing the celebrated message of Saint John Paul II in his Letter to Artists.
The project has already been successfully presented in churches and festivals including San Lorenzo in Vaticano, La Notte Sacra and the Cortona Sacred Music Festival, receiving enthusiastic responses thanks to its vibrant and engaging character, which has enabled it to reach a broad and diverse audience.
Joining Maestro Scarcella on stage are accomplished musicians who have collaborated with some of Italy’s most respected artists, including Max Gazzè, Carmen Consoli, Eros Ramazzotti, Marina Rei, Andrea Mingardi, Arisa, Fabio Concato, Daniele Silvestri, Paola Turci and Gianna Nannini.
Through Sacra in Jazz, audiences are invited to experience both the aesthetic pleasure generated by musical virtuosity and the spiritual resonance embedded within these songs. Even when removed from their original liturgical context, these melodies retain their sacred nature, offering praise and devotion through a fresh, energetic and contemporary musical expression.