Montreux Jazz Festival: how to jump over your head. Towards the fifty-first festival in Montreux

The music festival on the shores of Lake Geneva will bring together the world's best jazzmen for the 50th time.

Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the ten oldest and most influential music festivals the world. He has become a living embodiment of the "gold standard" of Western music. Switzerland's largest cultural event annually brings together over 200,000 music lovers from different countries.

The Montreux festival was originally focused exclusively on jazz and was held in the Montreux casino building. However, in 1971, during a Frank Zappa concert in a casino, a fire broke out (later inspiring legendary song Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple) and the festival was moved to other venues. Today, the central stages of the Montreux Jazz Festival are located in the restored casino and in the large Convention Center next door. In addition, concerts take place in clubs, on street stages in parks, on board pleasure boats, as well as on special "jazz trains" that run between Montreux and the nearby mountain resorts of Rocher de Naye and Gstaad.

The stylistic component of the festival program has also changed. Along with jazz, soul, blues, funk, rock and pop music began to play an important role in it. Only the class of musicians performing here remains unchanged. The best representatives of various genres and generations - from Miles Davis and Ray Charles to David Bowie and Lenny Kravitz - regularly grace the list of festival headliners. In 2016, the Montreux Jazz Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary.

From Geneva to Montreux, it takes 1 hour by train. The train station is in the immediate vicinity of the event venue.

There is nothing more difficult than competing with yourself. "Beat" a year later, the success of the jubilee, 50th Montreux Jazz Festival, which took place in 2016 - the task is all the more difficult because every next year the event on Lake Geneva attracts more and more people: in the last anniversary year, the number of visitors MJF exceeded 200,000 people. It is increasingly difficult to satisfy the interest of such a crowd with a huge number of young competitors, but the Montreux festival has a major advantage - it is consistent and constant. It is no coincidence that the founder of the festival Claude Nobs(1936-2013) called it "Rolls-Royce among festivals": predictably high quality of the program is combined here with style and some luxury (and in this case, we are not talking about caviar in the main hall bar).

For 50 years, Montreux has been headlined by Nina Simone ( Nina simone), Miles Davis ( Miles Davis), Ella Fitzgerald ( Ella fitzgerald), Aretha Franklin ( Aretha franklin) and other masters, hearing whom, even at that time, was a whole event. If you are a great jazzman, the recording of your performance is almost 100% in the archive. Montreux Jazz Foundation... If you are a concert jazzman, you will return to the Swiss city by the lake again and again.

In 2017, the tradition of inviting jazz stars of the first magnitude continues: from June 30 to July 15, every day of the program will bring a meeting with a master of his genre. Montreux's program includes a Lebanese trumpet virtuoso Ibrahim Maaluf (Ibrahim Maalouf), a jovial New Orleans singing trombonist and trumpet player Trombone Shorty with my ensemble Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, one of the greatest ethno-jazz percussionists Trilok Gurtu (Trilok Gurtu), exquisite composer and co-author of David Bowie's latest album - saxophonist Donnie McCaslin (Donny mccaslin), differently interesting guitarists Bill Frizell (Bill frisell) and Kurt Rosenwinkel (Kurt rosenwinkel), respectable Fourplay, funny old people Sax Summit and - for the 38th time! - pianist and "jazz ambassador to UNESCO" pianist and composer Herbie Hancock (Herbie hancock).

The list of festival artists "is based on the great founders of jazz, reveals young talents and includes pop sensations and R&B kings," the director of the festival described the 2017 program Mathieu Jaton.

Traditionally, many venues MJF become a field of experimentation. One of the title events of the festival is the concert “ Two brian s ", in which Brian Ferry (Brian ferry) from Roxy music will perform the program of jazz standards in the author's arrangement, and his colleague Brian Wilson (Brian wilson) from Beach Boys will arrange an evening of sunny California surf and funk. Let's not forget our first visit to Montreux Cruner Tom Jones(Tom jones).

In 2017 MJF especially strong in its program contemporary jazz... The event will be Mare nostrum- "Three-Dimensional Poem", a trio featuring a French accordionist Richard Galliano (Richard Galliano), Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren (Jan Lundgren) and Italian trumpeter Paolo Frezu (Paolo fresu). And the saxophonist's performances Shabaki Hutchings and his Shabaka & The Ancestors awaiting everyone following the rise of London's young jazz scene.

An evening commemorating one of the fusion apostles will open the Montreux title program Joe Zawinula(Joe zawinul), and it will be completed by a Senegalese ethno-singer Yussu N'Dur (Youssou N'Dour).

And that's just the jazz scene! From year to year Montreux enjoys immense success with the general public, as he demonstrates the entire spectrum on his 12 stages. contemporary music- from popular genres to complex electronica, from Pet shop boys before Yello... It is important to note that eight of the 12 scenes Montreux Jazz Festival- free and open to the public. These are all contests that give viewers the opportunity to hear the most talented young performers from around the world, to meet the residents Montreux Jazz Academy and the future headliners of Montreux, this is a mass of open areas, a cinema where you can see famous sets in recording - more than 250 shows in total, that is, almost 2/3 of the entire festival, will be available to the public for free. Creative workshops, nightly electronic parties, lectures and exhibitions - such a dense and rich program at a jazz festival cannot be seen anywhere else. So head to Montreux, a city in Switzerland that can rightfully be considered the summer capital of the European jazz festival scene!

51st Montreux Jazz Festival this year gathered 230 thousand spectators from all over the world. Having gone beyond jazz music for a long time, the festival brings together a variety of genres - from soul and blues to rock. In Montreux, for example, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Prince and even the black Eyed Peas With Massive attack.

But music lovers love this festival not only for its genre variety. Every year, competitions for pianists, vocalists and guitarists are held here, and every year the festival's producers find those who, after some time, become big stars. Among those who at the dawn of their careers were believed in Montreux are Lana Del Rey, Woodkid and Michael Kiwanuka. Last year, an unknown person played here Rag'n'Bone Man... And who doesn't hum it today Human or Skin?

Initially Montreux Jazz Festival took place in the Montreux casino, but in 1971 a fire broke out during a Frank Zappa concert. It resulted in a burnt-out casino building and a legendary Smoke on the water from the group Deep purple(it was written just under the impression of the events of that day). The festival has been held in other premises for some time, but for the past few years everyone has been gathering under the roof of the Montreux Congress Center.

One of the most memorable performances was Sampha- a black singer and composer, formerly a member of the group SBTRKT... His debut album is an absolute discovery in 2017. The artist combines elements of fashionable electronics with soul and R'n'B bases and at the same time sings in a voice that is subject to the most unexpected overtones.

Grace Jones, a 69-year-old singer, model and actress, really shocked the audience (in a good sense of the word). She entered the stage topless, wearing an unimaginable mask and completely adorned with African ornaments. I must say that the constant change of images did not at all distract the viewer from the performance - but it turned out to be grandiose. What to say: this is a legend that only gains strength with age.

The same cannot be said about Brian Wilson, lead singer and producer of the legendary The beach boys... This is the case when the voice betrays not only age, but also fatigue from what is happening around. Songs from the legendary album Pet sounds, played in Montreux, sounded close to the originals, but still evoked only gentle sadness.

John Newman (by the way, who performed in front of a sophisticated Moscow audience this summer) looked somewhat comical on the stage in Montreux and at the end of the evening he was perceived as a plump young man invited to warm up, although the young artist has a lot of merit. Despite the fact that he undoubtedly has his own audience (the hall is full, the girls squeal), he did not manage to get the “fresh” spectators who came to the concert.

Predictably, but from this they performed no less worthily The kills and Kasabian... The decision of the organizers of the festival to give these two groups a stage on the same evening seemed strange at first, but everything turned out well. It was a kind of challenge for the audience - to jump back and give out unprecedented energy in a double volume. And a challenge to the artists - go, start such a crowd. The kills I did it with a half-turn: Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hins are the perfect match on stage.

Front Kasabian it seemed an impossible task. After The kills they needed to keep the bar, and of course they did it, and even increased the intensity. It is not clear which of the waves covered the hardest, but in tandem the groups simply destroyed the hall.

In addition to the listed artists, Tom Jones, Brian Ferry, Erica Badu, Solange, Chile Gonzalez and others became the headliners of the festival. In the near future, we will surely see many more fresh names on the charts, which were presented on Montreux Jazz Festival... And the music that is born here will definitely appear in your playlists.

Montreux Jazz Festival Is one of the largest annual events held in Switzerland and known all over the world. The idea to gather outstanding musicians in one place belongs to music manager Claude Nobs, who once decided to attract tourists, in particular fans of jazz music, to a small town in the lowlands of the Alps. The first meeting of the jazz giants took place in 1967 - outstanding musicians shone on the stage for three days. The festival was a success and made Montreux famous all over the world.

The popularity of the Swiss Jazz Festival grows every year. As a result, the number of participants is increasing, and it is noteworthy that the list of genres is also expanding.

Now not only jazz is spreading across Montreux, but also blues, reggae, pop, hip-hop and even techno. Against the background of such a variety, jazz has also expanded its boundaries - today at the festival you can hear not only classical jazz standards, but also African jazz, soul and many other directions.

As you remember, the first meeting of the musicians was more like a city three-day celebration. Now it is a world-class festival, where everyone can take part in the program and show their musical talent. For many aspiring musicians, this festival is the starting point for musical career- music managers, sponsors and producers come here every year. In order to demonstrate your musical ability and imbued with the spirit of jazz, it is not necessary to go on stage: play in parks, cafes, embankments - wherever your soul tells you!

The festival has a unique atmosphere! Beyond delight musical compositions as an observer, on the site you can take part in dances - perform salsa or samba in a fiery way. If you are hungry, then in the town you can easily find a place where you can have a snack - local cafes, restaurants and shops will gladly open their doors for you and offer delicious dishes!

"Jazz" - small copper coins with a round hole in the center

Another amazing idea of ​​Claude Nobs is the currency adopted at the festival. Only "jazz" can you pay during the jazz festival in Montreux.

From the first steps, when you step on the land where this amazing festival was born, you breathe in as deeply as possible and feel how the atmosphere captures you, how the sounds of music envelop you, and you are immersed in jazz bliss. Here you can literally touch celebrities - in Montreux, among many there are monuments to Freddie Mercury.

The program for this anniversary edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival has been constructed like an echo of the historic depth of this Swiss event. Dense and vibrant, this 50th offering merits being examined in detail. It is marked by an array of projects and lineups imagined especially for the occasion, combining great artistic friendships and the promise of fresh new musical talents. On the marquee among others: Neil young, Pj harvey, Sigur Rós, Patti smith, Lana del Rey, M83, Muse, Ernest Ranglin, Scofield mehldau guiliana, Christian scott, Jean-michel jarre, Woodkid and friends, Beirut, Grimes…

SPECIAL PROJECTS & HOT LINEUPS!

The Montreux Jazz Festival offers a wide array of special projects, and this year more than ever the programming shines a spotlight on unique collaborations and exceptional creations. On the program:

• Charles Lloyd New Quartet for an Opening Night at the Casino Barrière, where we return this year to host the first American jazz musician who came here in 1967. This will be followed by Monty alexander, who will revisit his landmark 1977 album recorded in Montreux: Montreux Alexander.
• Quincy Jones's 50th Anniversary Celebration, featuring the Pepe lienhard big band
• Woodkid and friends: a unique show with some of his highest-profile artist friends (mum’s the word for now ...)
• Brazilian dream, a dizzying lineup in honor of Claude Nobs, featuring among others Maria Rita, João Bosco, Vanessa da mata...
• Angélique kidjo’S carte blanche: African Women All-Stars
• 2 tribute Creations: “ Bowie: The Swiss Years”And the album Swiss Movement revisited by the musical collective Stade
• The Montreux Jazz Academy Project, with Yaron herman and Ziv ravitz

STRAVINSKI HALL (OF FAME)

The Stravinski, with its perfect acoustics, generates legends every year. The stage in this temple to musical close encounters has been worn smooth by the passage of monumental artists since 1967. This year, to walk in their footsteps, you will find:

• Pj harvey and Patti smith
• Neil young, back after 15 years
• Lana del rey and her protégé Max jury
• Air and Anohni,(fka Antony Hegarty, ex-frontman of Antony and the Johnsons)
• Jean-michel jarre for the first time at the Festival
• Sigur Rós and the Atomic project by Mogwai
• An evening in jazz heaven with Scofield, Mehldau and Guiliana, followed by John McLaughlin
• Blues giants ZZ Top and Buddy guy
• Van morrison and Charles bradley
• The triumphant return of Simply red
• Lisa simone followed by Jamie cullum
• An explosive finale with Deep purple and Zappa the younger

THE CLUB, ROOTED IN JAZZ

Closer to the Festival's origins than ever, the Club is what brings together the masters of jazz and the new guard of that musical genre that informs all the others. In this venue with its 350 classy, ​​old-school seats and an authentic listening experience, music lovers and purists enjoy a truly singular musical moment. The Club's cozy shadows offer perfect hospitality for guests and instruments alike. And each night, when the jams kick off, there’s no closing down the Club ... Under the spotlight:

• Long-fingered pianist Randy weston and his African Rythms Quintet
• Major projects Steps Ahead and Volcan
• Miles Davis' bandmates reunited: Mike stern, Bill evans, Darryl jones and Dennis chambers
• Kenny barron & Dave holland
• Ernest Ranglin and Cheikh Lô, Tony Allen, Courtney pine
• Biréli lagrène, Antonio Faraò, Gary willis & Lenny white
• The cream of new French jazz with Hugh coltman, Anne paceo and Thomas enhco...
• Geneva's own Grégoire Maret
• The trumpet of Avishai Cohen
• The next generation of jazz: Cécile McLorin Salvant, Christian scott, Alfredo rodriguez trio and Gogo penguin
• Blues, of course, with Robben ford and rising star Selwyn Birchwood
• The voice of Keren ann and the Canadian sensation Basia bulat

THE LAB, ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW BLOOD

Bearing witness to the effervescence of today’s music, the Lab is all about discovery. With an eye for consistency, the former Miles Davis Hall concocts musical mixtures to be tested on a curious public. Newcomers, rising stars, and audacious artists rub elbows in this venue's electrifying ambiance. This year is particularly hip hop and electronic, with names that will get your pulse pounding:

• Big guns: M83, Grimes, Mac demarco and Beirut
• US hip-hop with Future and A $ AP Ferg
• Rap “made in France”: PNL, Nekfeu, MHD,Vald
• The french triad of Jeanne Added, Lou doillon and Feu! Chatterton
• Established voices: Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Glen hansard and Kurt vile(ex-member of The War on Drugs) & The Violators
• Gods of thrash metal Slayer, with Meshuggah
• The otherworldly Àsgeir, Other Lives, Ry X, Hælos and Aurora
• Laurent garnier, Dj shadow, Moderat and Four tet introduce the new guard of electronic music, Gramatik, Flume, Kiasmos and Petit biscuit
• The psych-rock of the Allah-Las and England's colossal Rag "n" Bone Man

MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE ...

To really get the most out of the idyllic setting of the marvelous Montreux region, music can be experienced pretty much everywhere, with thematic live performances on the water - Montreux Jazz Boats- and all the way to the mountain tops - Montreux Jazz Trains.