Montreux Jazz Festival

The Montreux Jazz Festival has evolved into Switzerland's foremost yearly event with 2 weeks of scheduled performances, workshops and competitions for guitar, solo piano and voice. In addition, there are nearly 300 free concerts across three main stages and a variety of improvised acts throughout the town of Montreux.

Passionate about Jazz and whose idealism never rests, Claude Nobs, then employed by the tourist office, created the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967. On this first occasion the event lasted just 3 days. In 1973 Claude was made director of the Workshop on Experimental and Efficient Algorithms (WEA) in Switzerland. The 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival set the duration record, lasting 23 days, thanks to an impressively eclectic programme that has remained an ideal for subsequent festivals. With his flair, passion and youthful spirit, Claude Nobs has made it possible for the festival to quickly gain a renowned International reputation, so much so that after 37 years of organising the festival, his enthusiasm and dedication has remained unchanged.

2010 artists scheduled to perform include Chick Corea, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Vinnie Colaita, Kenny Garrett, Christian McBride, Roy Haynes, Brad Mehldau, Antonio Sanchez, Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, Jack DeJohnette, Gil Scott-Heron, Phil Collins, Pat Metheny, Quincy Jones, Richard Bona, Bryan Blade, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera, Lyle Mays, Ben Harper, Tori Amos, Norah Jones, The Black Box Revelation, The Dead Weather, Nino Josele, Billy Idol, Regina Spektor, Roger Cicero, Petula Clark, Julian Lage, Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy, Simply Red, Pepe Lienhard, Mark Knopfler and many more.

The 2010 Festival of Jazz of Montreux is held July 2 to 17.

Related Links:
• Montreux Jazz Festival - Official website & schedule of events.
• Other Jazz Festivals - AP4J Festival Guide