This December, Italy’s acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Salvatore Bonafede will grace the stages of Hong Kong for the very first time. Celebrated for his lyrical depth and collaborations with giants like Joe Lovano, Dewey Redman and John Scofield, the Sicilian maestro arrives at Freespace to present music from his latest solo album “SAL – Serenity and Love” (2024).
Across two intimate evenings on December 20–21, 2025, audiences will experience a rare solo recital followed by a special piano-duo performance with Hong Kong’s own Ted Lo.
Who is Salvatore Bonafede?
Born in Palermo in 1962, Salvatore Bonafede started playing piano at age four and was gigging with big bands as a teenager. A Berklee graduate, he quickly became a sought-after voice in New York, leading his own groups and playing alongside Joe Lovano, Lew Tabackin, Dewey Redman and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
His 1990 debut “Actor-Actress” earned international acclaim, while Italy’s Musica Jazz named him “Best Young Talent” in 1991 and “Best Record” in 2001.
His long-awaited 2024 solo album “SAL – Serenity and Love” is a philosophical masterpiece that tells a tale of how human beings are gradually losing connection with each other in the digital age. Through pieces like Origin of the World, Infanzia, Resurrection and the gospel-tinged All in One, Bonafede reminds us that serenity and love are still within reach, binding us all.
What to expect at “Serenity and Love”?
On December 20, Bonafede performs a captivating solo recital drawn from “SAL – Serenity and Love”, taking us on a journey of sounds and images that narrate the things we all experience in life. The following evening, he joins forces with Hong Kong piano legend Ted Lo for a breathtaking duo encounter, leading the audience into a philosophical and absorbing journey through the manifestations of sound.
Intimate circular seating in The Room at Freespace envelops both the audience and performers in sound, turning each performance into an immersive experience of musical stories.
Plus, you can make it a full day at WestK: catch the new WestK Ferry from Central, visit the just-opened “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, or head to the Merry Balloon Hong Kong festive wonderland before your evening of jazz serenity.
| Event: | “Serenity and Love” with Salvatore Bonafede |
| When: | December 20-21, 2025; 5:30pm (Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes with no intermission) |
| Where: | The Room, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District |
| Tickets: | December 20 (Saturday): HK$380December 21 (Sunday): HK$450Tickets are now available at Cityline and Xiqu Centre Ticket Office |
| Website: | https://www.westk.hk/en/event/serenity-love-salvatore-bonafede or follow MEM Music Hong Kong’s Instagram for more information |
Image credits: WestK, MEM Music Hong Kong, Salvatore Bonafede’s Instagram