Ortaccio Jazz Festival

A jazz festival in the heart of Tuscia

The Ortaccio Jazz Festival, also known as the OJ Festival, is one of the most beloved musical events in the Viterbo region. Every summer, in late July, Piazza dell'Ortaccio in Vasanello—a medieval village in the province of Viterbo, Lazio—transforms into an open-air stage dedicated to great Italian jazz. The festival's motto says it all: "the best of Italian jazz, in the heart of Tuscia."

The history and spirit of the OJ Festival

Founded in the mid-2000s by the Messico e Nuvole Cultural Association, the festival has grown year after year with the patronage of the Lazio Region, the Province of Viterbo, and the Municipality of Vasanello. Some have affectionately called it the "little sister" of Umbria Jazz: a festival with an intimate, cozy format where the audience listens to concerts just meters away from the artists, in an atmosphere of a cultured and welcoming village feast. Over the years, it has expanded beyond music, featuring sections dedicated to literature and "books in jazz," as well as the OJ Young space reserved for young talents.

Piazza dell'Ortaccio, a natural stage

The heart of the festival is the square that gives it its name: a cozy open space in the historic center of Vasanello, just a stone's throw from the Orsini castle and the village's Romanesque churches. Evenings typically begin at sunset, when the stone of the square is bathed in warm light and the tasting tables fill up: a setting that makes every concert an experience to remember.

The great names who have graced Vasanello

The OJ Festival lineup has featured many absolute protagonists of Italian jazz. Artists who have performed in Piazza dell'Ortaccio include:

• Enrico Rava, who opened the 2016 edition with his New Quartet and guest Stefano Di Battista;
• Rita Marcotulli and Rosario Giuliani, stars of the 2008 edition;
• Giovanni Guidi, Daniele Di Bonaventura with Band'Uniòn, and Mauro Ottolini;
• in 2018, five tribute evenings dedicated to Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, and John Coltrane.

The 2025 edition: three unforgettable nights

The 2025 edition, held from Friday, July 25th to Sunday, July 27th, reaffirmed the festival's vocation: the Gavino Murgia Mediterranean Trio opened the event, followed by the Rosàlia de Souza Quintet with a DJ set by Flavia Lazzarini, and closing with the Freak Machine Trio by Giovanni Falzone with the project "Clowns, Burattini e Uomo Robot." All evenings were free of charge.

Free admission and the flavors of Tuscia

One of the distinctive features of the OJ Festival is its free admission policy: music is for everyone, with no tickets required. Before the concerts, the public can enjoy food and wine tastings featuring typical products of Tuscia, from local wines to traditional Viterbo dishes: a marriage of notes and flavors that is now part of the event's identity.

Towards the 2026 edition

At the moment, the 2026 edition has not yet been officially announced. Based on tradition, the event is expected in the second half of July: for confirmation, it is best to follow the festival's official website and social media channels.