AWARDS CONCERNING JAZZ MUSIC
2001 - National Massimo Urbani in Urbisaglia (1st Place)
2002 - EuroJazz Award "Stefano Cerri" in Lecco (1st Place)
2003 - Positano Jazz Award
2004 - International Jazz Festivals Organization Award in New York
2004 - World Saxophone Competition in London ( 1st Place)
2005 - Django d'Or in Rome
2005 - New Star Award in Japan (Swing Journal)
2005 - Top Jazz (Jazz Music)
2005 - In the November issue, french magazine “Jazz Magazine”, included Francesco among the "125 talents pour demain et aujourd'hui" (for tomorrow and today).
2005 - Prestigious US jazz magazine “Down Beat”, included Francesco’s concert together with pianist Franco D’Andrea at the “Pescara Jazz Festival” (July 2002), among the 25 most important events in the history of jazz .
2007 - Important French magazine “Jazzman” recognizes Francesco among the "Dix saxophonistes qui font bouger alto"
2015 - “JazzIt Poll - Best Italian Saxophone Player”
2019 - “JazzIt Poll - Best Italian Saxophone Player”
INSTITUTIONAL AWARDS
March 2004 - G.I.R.E. (Inter-legislative Jurisdiction of the European Regulation) Section R.S.E.U. (Research, studies for human evolution) "True talent of a young man who honors Italian musical art" (Francesco was awarded after his spectacular performance at the most famous and popular television show, Festival di Sanremo)
March 2004 – Francesco was awarded by the Municipality of Vittoria for his artistic and musical merits
March 2004 - Francesco was awarded by the Municipality of Comiso for his artistic and musical merits
March 2009 - Francesco was awarded by President of Sicilian Region, Raffaele Lombardo with Triquetra of the Sicilian Region
March 2009 - Francesco was awarded by ARS (Sicilian Parliament Assembly) for his artistic and musical merits
July 2009 - Francesco was awarded by “Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia Foundation and Umbria Jazz Festival” for his artistic and musical merits, naming Francesco as "Ambassador Of Italian Jazz Music In The World"
November 2009 - Francesco was awarded by the Municipality of Ragusa for his artistic and musical merits
February 2014 - Francesco was awarded with prestigious “Grand Award of Merit”, for embodying the important role that Sicilian musicians have played in the development of jazz music in the U.S. and its diffusion throughout the world.
December 2022 - Francesco was awarded Knighthood in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. The order came directly from Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Italian Republic, and is the highest-ranking honor of recognition the President can confer.
OTHER AWARDS
2004 - “Ragusani In The World Award” – Ragusa
2004 - “Vittoria Insigne Award” - Vittoria (RG)
2004 - “Aci e Galatea Award” - Acireale (CT)
2004 - “Silver Centaur Award” - Belpasso (CT)
2005 - "Kiwanis Club Award" - Vittoria (RG)
2005 - “San Lorenzo Award” - Assisi (PG)
2005 - “Silver Pigna Award” – Palermo
2005 - “Castelbuono Jazz Award” - Castelbuono (PA)
2005 - “Sicily Jazz Award” – Siracusa
2006 - "Tullio Besa Memorial Award” - Thiene (VI)
2006 - “Talenti and D'Intorni Award” – Catania
2006 - “Jazz Day Memorial” - Vittoria (RG)
2007 - “Ellade Award” - Bovalino (RC)
2007 - “Nino Martoglio Award” - Belpasso (CT)
2008 - “Ninfa Camerina Award” - Vittoria (RG)
2008 - “Sicilia Arte Award” - Taormina (ME)
2008 - “Rotary Award for Jazz” - (For being Artistic Director of prestigious Vittoria Jazz Festival) - Vittoria (RG )
2009 - “Leone D’Argento Award" - Carlentini (SR)
2009 - “Grappolo D'Oro Award” - Mazzarrone (CT)
2009 - “Giuseppe and Marzio Tricoli Award” - Palermo
2010 - "Grappolo D'Oro Award” - Vittoria (RG)
2010 - “Elio Vittorini Award” - Siracusa, Greek Theater
2011 - Representative Award of President of the Italian Republic - “International Ibla Prize” - Ibla (RG)
2011 - “Poetry International Prize” – Marineo (PA)
2012 - "Timone D’Argento Award” - Gela - (Sicilian Ambassador of Jazz Music)
2012 - Lifetime Achievement Award “Aquila D'Argento" -
2013 - “Archimedean Career At Youth Genius” - Siracusa
2013 - “Little Sicily Award” - Capo d'Orlando - (Sicilian Ambassador of Jazz Music)
2013 - “Ciccio Carrà Tringali Award” - Lentini (SR) - (Sicilian Ambassador of Jazz Music)
2014 - “Grand award of Merit” - NYC
2015 - “JazzIt Poll - Best Italian Saxophone Player”
2016 - “Unesco Club Award” - Vittoria – (Ambassador Of Italian Jazz Music In The World)
2016 - “TaoAward” for artistic and musical merits
2019 - “TaoAward” for artistic and musical merits
2019 - “JazzIt Poll - Best Italian Saxophone Player”
2020 - Lyons Club International "Melvin Jones" medal for artistic and musical merits
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