When Vasti Jackson returned from the 2016 Porretta Soul Festival, he said: “They revere this music. They have a soul music museum. They have shops that sell old vinyl. And they pay homage to the icons who are no longer here with us.” Since it began in 1988 with headliner Rufus Thomas, it has become the most prestigious European festival entirely dedicated to rhythm-and-blues and soul music. Festival founder Graziano Uliani has been able to bring to Porretta most of the major soul bands in the world. Over the years, the festival has hosted the likes of Rufus and Carla Thomas, Mavis Staples, Sam Moore, Irma Thomas, Bettye LaVette, Dorothy Moore, Millie Jackson, LaVern Baker, Joe Simon, Mitty Collier, Jimmy McCracklin, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Clay Hammond, J. Blackfoot, Clarence Carter, Latimore, Bobby Rush, Syl Johnson, Mighty Sam McClain, Solomon Burke, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay, James Carr, Eddie Hinton, Little Jimmy King, Carl Weathersby, and others. This year’s four-day festival in late July featured Bobby Rush, the Bey Paule band, Vasti Jackson, a tribute to Allen Toussaint, Stan Mosley, Theo Huff, and a huge soul revue finale. And in this Italian town you will find Otis Redding Street and Rufus Thomas Park. As Peter Guralnick says: “Everyone in Memphis should see the way in which their native music is treated in Porretta. At the time when buildings are being torn down at home, monuments are being erected in Porretta. But, more significantly, the music is being honored in a manner that it deserves. The musicians are being recognized not just for their stardom but for their contributions.”
