SLY & THE FAMILY STONE – Jardin Stage – 11:00 PM
The presence of Sly at the festival is a must-see event! The inventor of funk-rock, Sly Stewart became famous at the height of the hippie wave (his electrifying performance at Woodstock comes to mind) by mixing soul, gospel, and psychedelic rock into a melting pot of militant lyrics. At a time when the disco revolution, which he helped pioneer, was taking over, Sly suddenly disappeared from the radar of popular music. After several failed comebacks, he returns this year at the helm of a revamped version of his Family Stone, alongside the group’s original trumpeter, Cynthia Robinson, and his sister Vet Stone. After a long absence that had fans fearing the worst, this champion of baroque and rebellious funk is back, more eccentric than ever, determined to show that his music hasn’t aged a bit.
noJAZZ – Matisse Stage – 8:00 PM
In just a few seasons, cult concerts and a very different approach to remixing have allowed noJazz to carve out a niche befitting their uniqueness in the landscape of contemporary music. After the release of an explosive debut album in 2002, followed three years later by a notable studio collaboration with Stevie Wonder and former members of the Earth Wind & Fire collective, the group continues to stir passions today, challenging habits and defying the certainties of the jazz world’s ayatollahs. A visionary approach that has earned the group a solid reputation in well-trodden international circles.
DONAVON FRANKENREITER – Arenas – 10:30 PM
This Californian musician has managed to establish himself in just a few years as one of the most original voices on the acoustic rock scene, aided by the reputation of compositions like Free, which remains the archetype. Determined to shake up his own habits, Donavon decisively changed course with his second album, a collection titled “Move by Yourself,” throughout which he explores facets of a musical personality reminiscent of that of his loyal friend and collaborator, Jack Johnson.
MARCUS MILLER – Jardin Stage – 9:00 PM
This bass virtuoso possesses the gift of musical ubiquity. The son of an organist and choir director, related to the legendary Wynton Kelly, equally comfortable on clarinet and piano as he is on electric bass, Marcus started out in New York studios — you can hear him on recordings of Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers, Elton John, or Roberta Flack, among many others — before helping launch the career of Luther Vandross, a champion of the soul-ballad cause. Meanwhile, Marcus joined his idol Miles Davis, on stage and in the studio (remember the album “Tutu”), before embarking on a solo career centered on a happy blend of jazz and funk. As he readily admits: “I’m always seeking to invent to keep progressing,” a policy that has served him exceptionally well so far.
NATE JAMES – Arenas – 8:30 PM
This young funk master is one of the revelations of recent months on the London soul circuit, where he is clearly its best hope. With two albums to his credit, Nate combines the art of writing and composing with that of the stage. Nurtured by the tutelary presence of giants of the genre such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, and while his studio work was recently rewarded with a shower of well-deserved nominations, he hits the road again this summer at the head of his own orchestra, determined to showcase his skills to the widest audience. His appearance in Nice can only ensure him the loyalty of new fans…
SOCCA JAZZ
RUNNING BIRDS – 7:15 PM – Arenas
The RUNNING BIRDS were formed 10 years ago in Ventimiglia, to turn their passion into a real profession, they quickly decided to settle in France, in Nice, where they still live today.
Little by little, they have crafted a style of their own, deeply inspired by the rock of the 70s and legendary groups such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, King Crimson, The Who, or Yes.
Today, with a repertoire of 130 covers and 35 compositions (including About Freedom, their latest album), the RB are ready to win over any audience.
SPAAARGONAUTES 6:30 PM – Matisse Stage
A drummer, a bassist, a percussionist, a guitarist, two saxophonists, and a singer, seven “young professionals” (doctors, managers, teachers or a firefighter) who wholeheartedly dive into the mores of the 70s, and thus the SpAAArgonautes were born. This septet with an unpronounceable name is proud to present a repertoire of great funk, jazz-rock, and rhythm & blues classics rearranged to the edges of groove, from James Brown to Herbie Hancock, featuring Stevie Wonder and Billy Cobham. A festive time travel, organized by enthusiasts who find themselves in this art synonymous with sharing: music.
