Montreux Jazz Festival 2010

Romero Britto creates the poster of the 44th Montreux Jazz Festival.

His art celebrates life and stands for vitality and joy. Born in Brazil, Romero Britto lived an extremely modest lifestyle while growing up amongst eight brothers and sisters in Recife. Nowadays he is one of the most renowned Neo Pop artists worldwide. His paintings and sculptures combine elements of Cubism, Pop Art and Graffiti. Britto created the Festival’s poster already in 1999 for its 33rd edition and the logo of the Festival’s archives Montreux Sounds. Painted in strong and fresh colors, the poster for the 44th Montreux Jazz Festival represents a boy with guitar and his dog. Romero Britto, who currently lives in Miami, is an artistic activist for charitable and cultural organizations, he supports as well the Montreux Jazz Fondation 2.

The official news can found here.

Yesterday in Montreux, Black Eyed Peas!

Emmanuel Bueb, the CEO of Boomerang and my old friend, and myself had the chance again to be in Montreux / Switzerland, for the famous Montreux Jazz Festival. As in 2008 (Alicia Keys), 2007 (Van Morrison, Candy Dulfer), 2006 (Fourplay, Herbie Hancock), 2005 (Dianne Reeves, George Duke), 2004 (Pat Metheny Trio). Still a long history, also because we have started to go there each year before I have started to blog in 2004 ;-)

This year, we wanted to change a bit the style of music. No blues, no jazz anymore. Something new! So we decided ourselves for … the Black Eyed Peas! Only concert in Switzerland. So how was it?

Impressive! We haven’t seen so many people at a concert in Montreux.

Cool! Super sound, super atmosphere, super groove.

Really an exceptional show :-)

 

View from the terrace of our hotel

 

Waiting for the concert

 

The concert!

 

Alicia Keys at the Montreux Jazz Festival

I had the chance to be at the Montreux Jazz Festival on Thursday, July 17, with my friend Manu, the CEO of Boomerang. This year, Manu has chosen the concert and wanted to see Alicia Keys. I haven’t really known Alicia, excepted the 3 hits everybody knows ;-)

And what for a great surprise! The concert was just fantastic! First, Alicia was introduced very nicely by … Mister Quincy Jones himself. Wow, what for an honor! Absolutely great band and musicians, extremely soul and “motown” oriented, less “over-produced” than in her albums. Alicia Keys is really a marvelous singer, with a lot of good energy. And a special mention for her groove. Come on!!!

 

© Lionel Flusin © Montreux Jazz Festival Foundation

© Lionel Flusin © Montreux Jazz Festival Foundation

© Lionel Flusin © Montreux Jazz Festival Foundation

So, if you have the opportunity to see and listen to Alicia Keys at a concert, do not hesitate!

Montreux Jazz Festival - Alicia Keys

As usual (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), we are going to the Jazz Montreux Festival this year. We will have the chance to listen to Alicia Keys (seems to be already sold-out):

Nine-time Grammy Awards winner Alicia Keys is back in Montreux after the release of her 3rd album: As I Am. Her 2004 show already seduced the audience of the Auditorium Stravinski. Since 2001, she has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. One of the few artists who can capture an old-school vibe and make if feel refreshingly new, Alicia tackles this feat once again with this new album.

The program this year is absolutely fantastic! Some examples:

• Al Jarreau
• Buddy Guy
• Gilberto Gil
• Herbie Hancock
• Katie Melua
• Leonard Cohen (!)
• Paul Simon
• Quincy Jones
• Robert Cray
• ....

If you cannot find something interesting in this program, you should perhaps buy new ears ;-)