(2 March 2017) The jazz saxophonist Enzo Favata takes on a musical journey through his acoustic instruments and their electronic extensions. His is an unusual soundscape, where instruments such as the bass clarinet and soprano sax assume a surreal importance and charm. Archaic melodies paired with complex harmonious constructions related to traditional Sardinian song- his native homeland - but through the different cultures of the Mediterranean. On March 23, Favata’s music will captivate the Japanese public at the Italian Cultural Institute of Tokyo in a concert titled "Looking for Eden". Favata began his career as a jazz musician in 1983 and formed a quartet in 1988 that combines Sardinian folk music with jazz improvisation and folk music from other countries of the world. He also composes soundtracks for films, theatre, radio and television. He is also the Director of the international jazz festival “Musica sulle Bocche” which takes place every summer at Santa Teresa di Gallura. (Red)

ICI TOKYO

The ICI in Tokyo’s history dates back to 1939 when the generous Baron Takaharu Mitsui donated part of his land to the Italian State for the purpose of establishing the “Casa di Cultura Italiana”. The inauguration occurred in March of 1941 in the presence of the Imperial Princes. However, the Institute’s activity was brief. In 1945 the building was destroyed during an air raid during the Second World War. It was later rebuilt in 1959 and its activities resumed thanks to the hard work of its directors. Since 1997, teaching Italian became very popular and the number of enrolments grew to the current 4,000 per year. The building underwent went renovations by Kajima from 2003 to 2005.