Montreux Jazz Festival 2015
The programme for the 49th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival has been announced this week. From July 3-18, the charming city at Lac Léman will host a diverse array of artists on the three main stages together with the popular train and boat events.
Opening the festival on July 3rd at the Auditorium Stravinski are Emeli Sandé and John Legend. I’d like to give a quick rundown of some of the acts that are performing in 2015: the Montreux Jazz Academy Project is a special event featuring Bugge Wesseltoft, Yaron Herman, and Erik Truffaz, among others (July 4th, Montreux Jazz Club). July 6th has Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga as well as Christian McBride and his Trio plus Lizz Wright.
Hugh Coltman will sing the Nat King Cole Songbook on July 7th opening for Dianne Reeves. Alex Goodman, the Socar Montreux Jazz Electric Guitar Competition winner 2014, is opening for David Sanborn on July 8th. The same day will also have Mary J. Blige and D’Angelo. Another competition winner, Lorenz Kellhuber, who won the 2014 Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Solo Piano award, opens for bassist Avishai Cohen (July 9th).
July 10th focuses on Jazz piano: young prodigy Justin Kauflin opens for Jason Moran who’s performing his Fats Waller programme. On July 14th, Jerry Léonide (see album review on these pages) and Joshua Redman and The Bad Plus will be on stage at the Montreux Jazz Club. A special Brazilian night is going to be July 15th with a duo performance of Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. The next day, Chick Corea & Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Melody Gardot, and Shure Montreux Jazz Voice competition winner Alita Moses are on the menu. The final two nights will include Somi, George Benson, Dhafer Youssef, a tribute night to Paco De Lucia, and Quincy Jones presenting the Chedid Family and singer Zaz.
All info here:www.montreuxjazzfestival.com
