“Vitamine Jazz Festival” Returns to Turin, Bringing Healing Harmonies to Patients
A unique program combining world-class jazz performances with compassionate healthcare will continue this December, as the fourth edition of the “Vitamine Jazz Festival” is set to take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 4:45 pm at the Juvarra Theater in Turin. The festival, a project of the Women-friendly Medicine Foundation, brings volunteer musicians into the S. Anna Hospital to uplift and support patients.
A Legacy of Healing Through Music
Launched in September 2017, the “Jazz Vitamins” program has become the most extensive of its kind globally, offering regular jazz performances within a hospital setting. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza and the University of Turin, represents a virtuous alliance between “Culture and Health”, aiming to export successful pilot experiences to other healthcare facilities. To date, the Sant’Anna Hospital, the largest women’s hospital in Europe, has hosted over 485 musical events featuring more than 450 jazz musicians from around the world.
A Stellar Lineup for a Worthy Cause
This year’s festival promises a diverse and talented roster of musicians. Performers include Emanuele Cisi and Barbara Raimondi, instructors from the Jazz Department of the G. Verdi Conservatory of Turin, alongside established Turin jazz artists Sergio Di Gennaro and Elis Prodon. Rising stars Mattia Basilico and Nicolo’ Di Pasqua, recent winners of the prestigious Massimo Urbani competition, will also grace the stage. International representation comes from Brazil, with Roberto Taufic, Gilson Silveira, Val Coutinho, and Sabrina Mogentale contributing to the vibrant program.
All proceeds from the evening will directly fund projects focused on the health and well-being of women, with a particular emphasis on prevention and early diagnosis of female pathologies.
The Power of Jazz in a Healthcare Setting
The impact of “Jazz Vitamins” extends far beyond entertainment. Hospital staff report that the music fosters a sense of hope and well-being among patients. “We await the appointments with curiosity and wonder. Music stimulates us and has opened up new worlds for us,” shared nurses interviewed about the program. Musicians themselves describe the hospital environment as “a harmonious womb,” finding the experience deeply rewarding both personally and professionally.
According to Prof. Chiara Benedetto, President of the Women-friendly Medicine Foundation, “Music has proven to be an important ally in the treatment process and for this reason we are grateful to all the Artists who responded with great generosity and enthusiasm to our appeal.”
Adapting and Innovating Through Challenges
Even the COVID-19 pandemic could not halt the program’s momentum. During periods of restricted access to the hospital, the initiative transitioned to “Virtual Jazz Vitamins,” with musicians sending dedicated video performances from across the globe. A particularly notable example is a video recorded in Brazil by Roberto and Eduardo Taufic, featuring the renowned Ivan Lins.
Raimondo Cesa, the artistic director of the festival, eloquently captures the essence of the program: “Music is conversation, communication in harmony. Jazz in particular is continuous sharing. Subsequent improvisations arise from the interaction between musician and spectator.”
The “Vitamine Jazz Festival” stands as a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring spirit of community, offering a unique blend of cultural enrichment and compassionate care.
