On Saturday, singer-songwriter and guitarist Alain Clark kicked things off. This charming and friendly Dutchman, just in his thirties, delighted the audience. He even managed to get the crowd dancing among the famous olive trees of the ancient Cimiez arenas. He, who in 2007 went from being an unknown to a superstar in his country with his single “This Ain’t Gonna Work” (3rd place in the Dutch charts).
But the highlight of the show was undoubtedly Tracy Chapman. Celebrating over 20 years of international career, she resonated all her greatest hits to the delight of the embracing lovers and gathered families. Featured was the song “Sing for You”, the single that marked her debut in 1988. Twenty years later, she reused this track for the opening of her latest album “Our Bright Future”.
In the heart of Nice, Amos Lee, Brad Mehldau Trio, and also Joshua Redman completed the opening evening of the Nice Jazz Festival with a great deal of talent, unfortunately for too few visitors.
On Sunday, on the Matisse stage (this year artists are performing only on two stages due to the renovation of the Cimiez Arenas), it was the singer-songwriter Nneka who opened the second evening of jazz at Cimiez. This extraordinary young woman does not hesitate to follow her musical instincts by exploring a rich vein of sounds forming a sort of Afrobeat odyssey. It’s innovative and appealing to the public who came to discover this artist of just 28 years.
Another artist on the Matisse stage that evening was drummer, accomplished composer, singer, and conductor, Aldo Romano, who presented jazz in all its splendor and purity, remodeled in the way of this great musician. Pure artistry!
A few minutes later, a total change with Yodelice (Maxim Nucci). Some speak of redemption, about-face, or revolution. Others speak simply of revelation: here is Yodelice, a new artist at the Nice festival.
On the Jardin stage was the vibrant force of blues, Lucky Peterson, who broke musical boundaries by offering live a new energy to the blues with dark lyrics and funky, jazz, gospel, and rock vibes.
To conclude at 10:45 PM, Keziah Jones closed this second jazzy evening with ever-renewed songwriting talent. Keziah generously delivered all his influences, as if to better detach himself from them and allow himself to reinvent his music… blue and black. And the audience asked for more, applauding the artist for over ten minutes.
When jazz is, when jazz is here…
