Chamber Jazz Night with Quintetto Denner HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival

The HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival continues to expand its artistic horizons with an exceptional evening of music when Quintetto Denner – Italy in Jazz takes the stage on February 14th at the Imperial Court, Cinnamon Lakeside, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. With limited spots available for registration, this promises to be an intimate and memorable Valentine’s night for lovers of sophisticated, boundary-pushing music.

Quintetto Denner at the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival is supported by the Embassy of Italy, underscoring the cultural significance of this performance and Italy’s long-standing contribution to global music traditions.

What sets Quintetto Denner apart is its distinctive musical identity. The ensemble brings together two complementary yet often separate worlds: contemporary classical music and jazz. From this rare and thoughtful fusion emerges a sound that is refined, exploratory and deeply expressive. American music critic Robyn Jeffery famously described their style as “Chamber Jazz” following the group’s acclaimed Australian tour — a term that has since become synonymous with their work.

With over twenty years of professional experience, Quintetto Denner has built an impressive international reputation. The ensemble has performed across Australia, North America, Africa and China, appearing at prestigious festivals such as the European Jazz Festival of Izmir, the Gold Coast International Jazz Festival of Surfers Paradise, the Toronto Jazz Festival, and the International KlassiK Festival in Albania. Their music has also been broadcast on live radio and television in Canada, Turkey, Greece and China, bringing their nuanced sound to global audiences.

February 14th at the Imperial Court, Cinnamon Lakeside, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. 

Their performance history reads like a map of the world’s most respected music venues. From the Concert Hall of the State Conservatoire in Sydney to the iconic Guangzhou Opera House, the Moni Lazariston in Thessaloniki, the Academy of Arts in Tirana, the Tirajanas Auditorium in Gran Canaria, and the Hannover Jazz Club, Quintetto Denner has consistently demonstrated its ability to captivate audiences across cultures.

Beyond performance, the ensemble is deeply committed to musical education. During their international tours, the Quintet has conducted master classes at institutions such as the Academy of the Guangzhou Opera House, the Conservatoire in Tirana, Shantou University, and the American University of Kuwait (AUK), sharing their expertise and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

The ensemble features an accomplished lineup of Italian musicians: Massimo Mantovani (clarinet, saxophone and voice), a graduate of the Vivaldi Conservatoire in Novara; Giancarlo Buratti (clarinet) and Giorgio Rondi (bass clarinet), both graduates of the Venturi Conservatoire in Brescia; Roberto Giuliani (clarinet), also trained at the Vivaldi Conservatoire in Novara; and Alessandro Manni Villa (piano), who studied at the Advanced School of Jazz 

Performance in Novara.

Their appearance at the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival, with the support of the Embassy of Italy, is not merely a concert but a cultural encounter — one that celebrates dialogue between genres, traditions and nations. For Colombo’s music lovers, this is a rare opportunity to experience Chamber Jazz at its finest.