The feminine touch of the evening was provided by Carine Erseng. This young French woman managed to fill the space with her jazzy voice, deep just as it should be. Also a songwriter, she writes her songs in French and performs them brilliantly.
Those of you who experienced the Frank Zappa years should have been there this Monday evening to hear his son, Dweezil Zappa, play. Many spectators did just that, comfortably lying on the grass, treating their ears to the music of one of the greats’ sons. A partially instrumental show. While there were hardly any vocals, there were many instruments, and the challenge for the artist was to make them coexist in the jazziest way possible. Plus, the indispensable guitar solos, worthy of the Zappa family.
The National Jazz Orchestra was also performing tonight, presenting a tribute to the English jazzman Robert Wyatt. A much more strict and structured concert, as night gradually fell over the Cimiez arenas. A symphony accompanied by voices emerging from nowhere, which Daniel Yvinec, the artistic director of the orchestra, describes as “pure and ghostly”.
The star of the evening, the must-see of the Nice Jazz Festival, was undoubtedly Al Jarreau.
The man with seven Grammys has lost none of his fervor, his joy in sharing his music. A pleasure that has accompanied him for more than 60 years now.
He laughs, has fun, addresses the audience. Al Jarreau also embodies pure joy of living.
In the dimness, under the olive trees, lovers embraced, children listened. All were hypnotized by the spectacle that unfolded before them.
This Monday evening concluded soothingly with Julian Lage and his group. A child prodigy, he started playing with the greats at a very young age. Today, at the age of 22, he delivers his cheerful and engaging jazz to an enchanted audience, with a smile on his face.
