Paris, France — There were the mythical venues like the Bilboquet, the Montana venues in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood of Paris, a neighborhood where the greatest jazz men of the 20th century could be found performing and where the contemporary jazz scene continues to play on. Miles Davis, Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, Sydney Bechet, Thelonious Monk were all there. Each year the Jazz Festival of Saint-Germain-des-Prés is held in various venues in the neighborhood and this year the festival, the 21st, is back live after the pioneering 20th festival in 2021 that was held entirely on-line. Concerts, round tables and special events will be taking place primarily at the Odéon Theater from May 16th until May 21st. This year the organizers have made a commitment to sustainable development, with for example only two concert venues instead of 4, and equality between men and women while digital remains on the agenda as well. Jazz is part of the soul of this culturally rich Parisian neighborhood and this year’s festival will bring to jazz lovers the world over both the festival and its artists. Among this year’s highlights include an opening concert featuring bassist Kyle Eastwood who composed the music for a number of his father’s films including Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, Camille Bertault, Hugh Coltman and Ibrahim Maalouf. A round table will take place on May 18th on the place of women in jazz in the town hall of the 6th arrondissement,
©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette
Additional reporting Sylvain Loire
Tickets and program and you can also listen into some jazz and enjoy a video at:
https://festivaljazzsaintgermainparis.com,