It was anticipated by the die-hard fans of the genre as well as by the regulars of one of the largest national jazz festivals. The program for the 2011 Nice Jazz Festival was thus unveiled with a fine lineup of celebrities such as Seal, Keziah Jones, Morcheeba, and, for the purists: Michel Portal, John McLaughlin, or Avishai Cohen. A beautiful promise on paper and a challenge to transform for this first festival managed directly by the city of Nice.
It is in the presence of the patron of this first edition, John McLaughlin, that will take place in the Albert 1st gardens, Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi unveiled the program of festivities which will run from Friday, July 8 to Tuesday, July 12.
The festival establishes Nice as a pioneer with a type of broadcasting and commercialization that brings jazz music beyond the narrow circle of connoisseurs, but the experience was renewed in Nice only after a 23-year interruption: in 1971, Nice took over from Antibes (which paused its festival for a two-year break) at the Théâtre de Verdure and in the Albert 1st square gardens before truly gaining momentum in 1974 with the great jazz parade in Cimiez.
Since 1992, the succession of producers to whom the city of Nice has granted the public service delegation, each in their own way, have designed a festival unlike the previous one.
In 2011, the deliberate choice by the city of Nice to take back management with the organization of the festival by the communication and events management team is a real challenge. The 5th largest city in France must conceive a new festival that will stand out for its originality, proximity, accessibility, as well as its popular nature by creating a true Jazz Off throughout the city.
For this 2011 edition, the Nice Jazz Festival is rejuvenating by returning to its true values: A popular event at the heart of the city. The 2011 edition is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the famous trumpeter Miles Davis, who passed away 20 years ago, by dedicating the opening night to him and also by bringing together in this program artists strongly inspired by his career or who have even shared the stage with him.
For more information: www.nicejazzfestival.fr
John McLaughlin, a prestigious patron
Influenced by Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, or Ravi Shankar, he was one of the pioneers of jazz rock, alongside his friend Miles Davis.
Passionate about oriental philosophies and music, it’s hard to summarize his career in a few words. He created several bands including the “Mahavishnu Orchestra,” then “Shakti” in the 70s, reformed in 1997 as “Remember Shakti.”
After crossing all musical genres and multiplying encounters of all kinds, he is found today in a band founded with musicians who have been accompanying him for some time: “The 4th Dimension.”
John McLaughlin is one of the most complete “borderless” guitarists in the world. He remains a key musician and a mentor to many recognized artists.
Having been settled in Monaco for many years, John McLaughlin naturally becomes the patron of this new edition of the Nice Jazz Festival, which he attends every year, either as a headliner or as a spectator of his many musician friends with whom he often shared the stage…
Harry Lapp, an experienced artistic director…
Harry Lapp organized his first shows as early as 1970 with the Strasbourg Law Students Association, of which he was the President.
His beginnings in the jazz world were alongside Norman Granz and George Wein, the two most important American tour producers.
In 1975, he founded Harry Lapp Organization, a production company for variety, jazz, rock, dance, theater, and classical music concert tours.
In an interview given to the Expression Nice Côte d’Azur Magazine, Harry Lapp expresses his main ambition to “respond to the wish of the Mayor by refocusing the Festival as much as possible on jazz and its tangentials.”
And he adds “that it is also about giving back an artistic coherence especially in the composition of the line-ups, and to vary the music styles between the Théâtre de Verdure and Albert 1st, to reach the widest possible audience.”
The Albert 1st Garden, a return to origins
Located right in the heart of the city center and a stone’s throw from the beaches, the Nice Jazz Festival will be perfectly served by buses and trams where users will find numerous parking lots as relay points. Access to the site will also be facilitated by Vélobleu stations.
This location will allow for a living environment that is less impacted. Its new situation will make it more accessible, thus attracting a new audience. Spectators will also appreciate better visibility of the stages.
The Théâtre de Verdure has the advantage of being an already equipped venue allowing for lower operating costs and less participation from the city.
Its central location will contribute to the city’s downtown activity at the start of summer and allow for more economic benefits for surrounding businesses, restaurants, and hotels.
The Albert 1st Garden has become a regular venue for major popular events, appreciated by the Niçois: the Carnival, the Book Festival, sports events, the great success of the Philharmonic Orchestra concert celebrating the 150th anniversary of the attachment of the County of Nice to France.
Two stages for two atmospheres: The Masséna stage with a capacity of up to 6,000 standing places and the Théâtre de Verdure stage with its 800 seats and 1,400 standing places. Providing the possibility to welcome nearly 9,000 spectators in total.
PROGRAMMING
Friday, July 8
Masséna Stage
Opening tribute to Miles Davis
19:30 KIND OF BLUE REVISITED: with Alex Tassel, Rick Margitza, Pierrick Pédron, Franck Avitabile, Diego Imbert, Julien Charlet
20:15 MIKE STERN & DIDIER LOCKWOOD
22:00 JOHN MC LAUGHLIN & the 4th Dimension
Théâtre de Verdure Stage
Greatest Jazz Vocal Standards
19:30 NICE JAZZ ORCHESTRA
20:00 ROBERTA GAMBARINI
21:15 MICHEL LEGRAND
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Masséna Stage
World evening
19:30 ANTHONY JOSEPH AND THE SPASM BAND
20:30 ASA
22:00 CARLINHOS BROWN
Théâtre de Verdure Stage
Blues Night
19:30 Homemade Jamz Blues Band
20:15 JEAN-JACQUES MILTEAU
21:45 JOE-LOUIS WALKER
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Masséna Stage
Nu Jazz & Electro
19:30 NO JAZZ
20:15 NILS PETTER MOLVAER
21:45 MORCHEEBA
Théâtre de Verdure Stage
Jazz made in France
19:30 DOMINIQUE FILLON
20:30 MARTIAL SOLAL & STEFANO BOLLANI
21:45 MICHEL PORTAL BAILADOR
Monday, July 11, 2011
Masséna Stage
Sweet Soul Music
19:30 CHARLES BRADLEY
20:30 MACY GRAY (under confirmation)
22:00 SEAL
Théâtre de Verdure Stage
New Generation
19:30 NJF Competition Winner
20:15 TROMBONE SHORTY
21:30 AVISHAI COHEN
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Masséna Stage
Soul & Funk
19:30 ALOE BLACC
20:30 KEZIAH JONES
22:00 MACEO PARKER
Théâtre de Verdure Stage
Masters of Jazz
19:30 ROY HARGROVE Quintet
20:30 AHMAD JAMAL
22:00 WYNTON MARSALIS & Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
More information on: www.nicejazzfestival.fr
