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.

2009 artists scheduled to perform include Airto, Allen Toussaint, Angelique Kidjo, Ayekoo, Aziza Mustafa Zadeh trio, B.B. King, Bernie Worrell, Bettye Lavette, Bill Evans, Bill Frisell, Chad Smith, Chucho Valdes, Creed Taylor, Cubanismo, Dave Valentin, David Sanborn, Dianne Reeves, Donna Summer, Emily Loizeau, Flora Purim, George Benson, George Duke, Grace Jones, Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Beck, Jeff Tain Watts, John Scofield, Lee Ritenour, Lizz Wright, Madeleine Peyroux, Marcus Miller, McCoy Tyner, Monty Alexander, Nils Landgren, Peter Cincotti, Randy Brecker, Russell Malone, Seal, Stanley Clarke, Steely Dan, Steve Winwood, Susan Tedeschi and many others.

The 2009 Festival of Jazz of Montreux is held July 3 to 18.

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