Gezzinvilla

Gezzinvilla, the music that inhabits the Villa Comunale

Gezzinvilla is one of the historic music festivals of Torremaggiore, a town in the Alto Tavoliere area of the province of Foggia, in the heart of northern Puglia. The festival takes place in the green setting of the Villa Comunale Federico II, the city's oasis just a stone's throw from the Ducal Castle, and every summer it transforms the park into an open-air stage for concerts, meetings, and musical activities.

A name that tells its story

The name «Gezzinvilla» is an affectionate play on words: it combines the dialect term «Gezz», which is how jazz is pronounced in the Foggia dialect, with the idea of making music «in villa», meaning in the Villa Comunale. Founded in 1997, the festival celebrated its 29th edition in 2025, confirming its status as one of the events that earned Torremaggiore its reputation as a «city of music».

Much more than just jazz

Although it has roots in jazz, Gezzinvilla has chosen over the years not to limit itself to a single genre. The lineup spans jazz, swing, soul, fado, traditional Gargano music, pop, and electronic, with the organizers' stated goal of «opening the doors of music to everyone». In its most extensive editions, the festival has offered over a dozen concerts with dozens of musicians on stage, accompanied by:

• Workshops and masterclasses dedicated to musical instruments and disciplines;
• Exhibitions and installations inside the villa;
• Film screenings and evening DJ sets;
• Days dedicated to the city and sharing music.

Organizers

The festival is promoted by the A.C.M. Arte Cultura e Musica association, led by Sergio Petta, in collaboration with the The Slow Side cultural center run by Franco Fabbri, and under the patronage of the Municipality of Torremaggiore. Over the years, the organizers have envisioned Gezzinvilla as a true permanent laboratory, with activities, workshops, and collaborations distributed throughout the year.

Part of the Torremaggiore summer

Gezzinvilla is one of the pillars of the Municipality's summer program, Torrestate, which brings together dozens of events every year including music, cinema under the stars, sports, rural traditions, and Frederick II-themed historical re-enactments. Together with the «Augusto Daolio» Italian Song Festival and the Castel Fiorentino Classical Music Festival, Gezzinvilla completes the musical trio that accompanies residents and visitors throughout the summer season, in a historic center that preserves the Ducal Castle and the memory of Frederick II.

A festival for the community

With free admission and designed for families, enthusiasts, and the curious, Gezzinvilla is now a reference point for the cultural life of Torremaggiore and the Alto Tavoliere, capable of bringing artists and sounds to the city park that range from traditional Puglian folk music to international influences.