Claude Nobs, co-founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, died yesterday after a ski accident in Switzerland. He was 76.
Crazy inspiring guy, crazy life. “Funky Claude” did so much for music….
R.I.P. Claude Nobs
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Tag Archives: montreux jazz festival
Montreux Jazz Festival 2011
The program of the Montreux Jazz Festival 2011 (July 1 – 16) was published yesterday, as usual quite a bunch of interesting concerts!
With my friend Manu, we have decided us for the July 13 night with two concerts:
- Quincy Jones presents: A Night of Global Gumbo with Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Emily Bear, Esperanza Spalding, Nikki Yanofsky
- Tribute to Miles Davis (Musical Director : Marcus Miller) with Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Sean Jones, Sean Rickman
Both concerts are quite promising, in two very different styles. We could reserved two very good places, centrally positioned, not far away from the scene. Ticket-price is really going up, outch… Anyway, still very happy to be able to go there again this year ;-)
Montreux Jazz Festival Foundation 2011, © Artwork Francis Baudevin
Coming concerts!
I will be able to go to two concerts in the coming months.
Phil Collins plays ‘60s Motown and Soul in Montreux, Switzerland
Exceptional concert of Phil Collins, the only one in Europe, at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The Festival will actually open on July 1, 2010 specially for this concert and will last 17 days this year, instead of 16.
Phil Collins will play some covers from The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson!
The band will be also exceptional, with 18 musicians:
- a brass section with 5 musicians
- six backing vocalists
- the Funk Brothers of Motown (bassist: Bob Babbitt, guitarist: Eddie Willis, guitarist: Ray Monette)
Leonard Cohen in Basel, Switzerland
I had the chance to see Leonard Cohen for one of his concert in August 2009. That was really one of the best concert I have ever seen. That’s the reason why I am so happy I could buy some tickets for his coming concert in Basel, Switzerland on September 8, 2010.
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 ;-)