The Festival is now is one of the most important musical events in Campania.
Since its inception in 1996, Festival proved to be of the highest level thanks in part to the collaboration with Umbria Jazz and the volunteer work of the Metafore association as well as the collaboration of the municipal administration. The baptism of the event saw Herbie Hancock as guest of honor, on his second and last date in Italy after Perugia. A year later the five scheduled evenings became consecutive, three remaining paid and two others totally free, as had also happened in the first season. Prominent names included Roy Hargrove Crisol and Dee Dee Bridgewater. In 1998, the whole event became free and it was decided to dedicate it to George Gershwin. Enlivening the evenings is the flair of Lester Bowie and the Brass Fantasy. In the following season, the evenings dwindled to three, but there was no shortage of talent.
In 2000 the festival doubled in size and began to include a winter section. From this edition the event is located in the municipal villa of Pomigliano.
In the 2001 and 2002 seasons, the evenings become four.
In 2003, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, already present in previous editions, return to Pomigliano Jazz. The ninth edition, however, multiplies the spaces and expands the time.
In 2011, the festival, for the first time, was held in September and not July.
The 2013 edition, on the other hand, focused on reducing environmental impact by facilitating separate waste collection, energy conservation and the use of recycled materials for set-ups.
