CONCERT: Nick La Rocca & His Brothers | Some Like It Hot Jazz Band in Concert

The concert “Nick La Rocca & His Brothers | Some Like It Hot Jazz Band in Concert” is the third of five musical initiatives promoted by the Italian Cultural Institute of New York in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s “United in Sound: America at 250” festival.

A Celebration of Early Jazz and Italian-American Musical Heritage

On the evening of May 29, the Italian Cultural Institute in New York presents Nick La Rocca & His Brothers, a lively concert that celebrates the early history of jazz and the enduring contribution of Italian and Italian-American musicians to American music.

In February 1917, the Original Dixieland Jass Band, led by Sicilian-American cornetist Nick La Rocca, recorded what is widely considered the first jazz record—an event that helped introduce jazz to a global audience. Drawing inspiration from that milestone, the Some Like It Hot Jazz Band recreates the spirit of early jazz while exploring the broader legacy of Italian voices in the development of the genre.

Blending spirited performance with brief narrated commentary, the program guides audiences through the origins of jazz and its cultural crossroads. The result is an evening that is both entertaining and illuminating, combining classic repertoire with engaging storytelling that places the music in its historical context.

Performers

Some Like It Hot Jazz Band (Octet)

• Luca Velotti — clarinet, saxophones (Music Director)

• Rossano Sportiello — piano

• James Cirillo — guitar

• Jon-Erik Kellso — trumpet

• Harvey Tibbs — trombone

• Neal Miner — bass

• Kevin Dorn — drums

• Imani Rousselle — vocals

Bio: Luca Velotti

Clarinetist and saxophonist Luca Velotti discovered jazz at the age of 12 and made his stage debut just five years later. He studied with renowned American reed master Bob Wilber and has spent more than three decades touring internationally with celebrated Italian singer-songwriter Paolo Conte.

Velotti has also collaborated extensively with Academy Award–winning composers Nicola Piovani, Ennio Morricone, and Armando Trovajoli. Known for his warm tone, stylistic fluency—from early jazz to swing—and engaging stage presence, Velotti leads the Some Like It Hot Jazz Band in performances that bring musical history to life through vibrant playing and concise narration.

Program Concept

The evening features repertoire inspired by the Original Dixieland Jass Band and by pioneering Italian and Italian-American jazz musicians. Musical selections are interwoven with brief spoken commentary (in English, with Italian references), offering audiences both musical enjoyment and historical insight.

The concert is part of a broader program concept under the umbrella title Nick La Rocca & His Brothers, which may be presented as a multi-night series with thematic subtitles such as The Birth of Jazz or Italian Voices in American Swing.

For the first time ever, the Italian Cultural Institute of New York is partnering with Carnegie Hall for the 2025–2026 season festival, United in Sound: America at 250. This ambitious, multifaceted celebration reflects on the United States 250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Showcasing the extraordinary musical riches that have flourished across the country, the festival offers a powerful portrait of America’s vibrant cultural landscape. Through its participation, the Italian Cultural Institute will highlight the deep and enduring friendship between Italy and the United States, celebrating the artistic dialogue that continues to unite the two nations.