After an absence of one year the popular Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival returns to Rome. Now organised by Jazz&Image, this year's programme features some prominent international jazz stars alongside new talent. Although the festival has branched out to include elements of funk, pop and dance, at the heart of the event remains pure jazz. Over the years, the festival has become recognised for the quality of its line-ups; its stage has welcomed about 5,000 international musicians, and almost 100,000 spectators have enjoyed the music in the picturesque park on the Coelian hill. For full details see website. Villa Celimontana, entrance Salita di S. Gregorio, Piazza SS. Giovanni e Paolo, www.villacelimontanajazz.com.