ParisLovesJazz - What's On and Who's Playing in Jazz Clubs in the upcoming week in Paris

Late and Out of Date

2010-10-16T14:02:00.001-07:00

Sorry, I've fallen behind at detailing the what's on listings - I've been out of Paris touring and performing the last 6 months or so - I'll be back later in October, 2010 with a wider listing of what's on in Paris. Meanwhile check out my listings of venues with their web links

Musique et Jardins

2009-07-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

Link to map of venues (click on 'Info Pratiques)

Saturday 11th July
Square Rene Binet
15h 30
Tomast (nigerian blues and touareg rock)

Jardin du Musee de Montmartre
17h
Elise Dabrowski solo

Arenes Montmartre
Renata Rosa
chanson Brazil

Sunday 12th July
Cour de l'institut des cultures d'Islam
15h30
Houria Aicha
chants de laures

Square Charles Hermite
17h
Fantazio + |Benjamin Colin
ovnis sonores

Square Eli Lotar a Aubervilliers
19h
Closing Ball with
Ti-Coca
Haitian music
Damily Family
from Madagascar

Parc Floral Jazz Festival in Paris

2009-06-30T14:28:00.000-07:00

Week-end 5 VIENNE-PARIS

Samedi 4 juillet
15h Médéric COLLIGNON, Jus de Bocse Quartet
16h30 VIENNA ART ORCHESTRA « Third dream »

Dimanche 5 juillet
15h RADIO STRING QUARTET & Klaus PAIER
16h30 Jean-Christophe CHOLET, DIAGONAL « French touch »

Week-end 6 GYPSY LAND

Samedi 11 juillet
15h Costel NITESCU quintet
16h30 Bojan Z, EXPATRIOTS

Dimanche 12 juillet
15h Bireli LAGRENE Gypsy trio
16h30 Kocani ORKESTAR

Week-end 7 BLEU BLANC ROUGE… VERT

Samedi 18 juillet
15h Vincent COURTOIS « What do you mean by silence »
16h30 Le GROS CUBE d’Alban DARCHE « Polar Mood & Queen »

Dimanche 19 juillet
15h Emile PARISIEN Quartet
16h30 Jean-Marie MACHADO, DANZAS « Fiesta nocturna »

Week-end 8 KALEIDOSCOPE

Samedi 25 juillet
15h Jean-Philippe VIRET trio
16h30 Richard GALLIANO « Love day »
avec Gonzalo RUBALCABA, Richard BONA et Clarence PENN

Dimanche 26 juillet
13h30 Phil REPTIL solo (dans la clairière des impros)
15h BUMCELLO invite Nathalie NATIEMBÉ « NatiemBum »
16h30 Erik TRUFFAZ quartet invite CHRISTOPHE

Dynamo Banlieu Blues Big Band

2009-05-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a trip out to Pantin (just beyond the walls of Paris) for an improvising big band that's part of the Banlieu Bleus festival - the Supernatural Orchestra - (click here to check them out)

and here's a map to the wonderful new performance space that is the Dynamo.

I'll let their sound speak for itself - quirky, fun, pulling in influences from all over the place.

closest metro 'Pantin' - a 20 minute ride from the centre of town.

Cléa Torales et Sylvaine Hélary flûte,
Adrien Amey et Robin Fincker saxophones, Jeannot Salvatori saxophone alto, Baptiste Bouquin saxophones, clarinette, Nicolas Stephan saxophone ténor, Fabrice Theuillon saxophone barython,
Antonin Leymarie et Jean-Pascal Molina batterie,
Jérôme Ballero soubassophone, Yann Lefrant tuba basse,
Judith Wekstein trombone basse, François Roche-Juarez trombone, Hanno Baumfelder trombone
Julien Rousseau, Antoine Berjeaut et Gaspard Manesse trompette,
Boris Boublil claviers,
Damien Christea lumière

Le Voix Est Libre - our pick for live jazz in Paris for May

2009-05-05T07:35:00.000-07:00

(click on the image for a larger version)

Another Beautiful Sunset

2009-04-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

Just a quick rundown of what's coming up at Sunset, the downstairs portion of this great little jazz club - for address listings click over to our 'listings' page

Lundi 06/04/09 à 20h00 Lucy DIXON

Mardi 07/04/09 à 20h00 Giovanni MIRABASSI

Mardi 07/04/09 à 22h00 Michael CHERET Quartet
Tribute to Mingus and Dolphy, invite Alexandra Grimal

Jeudi 09/04/09 à 22h00 Demi EVANS Quintet
CD Launch “My america”

Vendredi 10/04/09 à 20h00 A SAVARYA

Vendredi 10/04/09 à 22h00 Demi EVANS Quintet
CD Launch “My america”

Samedi 11/04/09 à 22h00 Demi EVANS Quintet
CD Launch “My america”

Dimanche 12/04/09 à 20h30 Samy THIEBAULT Quintet “hommage Miles DAVIS” + Jam Session

Swinging

2009-01-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

Our feature this week will be the slightly upmarket venue of the Jazz Club Méridien Etoile "Lionel Hampton" Club. Its a bit pricey, but not too bad for Paris standards (26 euros)

here's their upcoming lineup

from Monday the 12th to Sunday the 31st

12th to 14th the Paris Swing Orchestra with André Villéger "Hommage à Sidney Bechet"
15th to 17th The Supremes Girls
19th the Mizikopéi Big Band of Tony Chasseur
20th to 24th Let’s Groove
26th Pink Turtle
27th to 31st The Healers et Thomas Buck-Nasty

Club Lionel Hampton - Hôtel Le Méridien Etoile - 01 40 68 30 42
81 Bd Gouvion St Cyr (M° Pte Maillot)

MAP

Our Club for the Week of the December 8th...

2008-12-06T08:16:00.000-08:00

This week let us highlight the schedule at

Duc Des Lombards ('cause its a good week!!)

08 déc
20H&22H
Laurent ASSOULEN
Concert JAZZ PARFUME
"Laurent ASSOULEN" A concert on the theme of how to put Perfume to Music…

09 déc
21H
Soirée PARIS JAZZ CLUB
A Party for Cristal Records – 22 Euros gets you 8 concerts at 4 different clubs

10 déc
20H&22H
GILFEMA +2 Voir
Lionel LOUEKE - Massimo BIOLCATI - Ferenc NEMETH

11 déc
20H&22H
Francisco PAIS "Lotus Project"
invite Gretchen PARLATO
Winner of American/Paris jazz bursary invites the lovely singer Gretchen Parlato.

12 déc
20H&22H
Sheila JORDAN & Aldo ROMANO
This should be extraordinary – and perhaps one of the last chances to see this star of Jazz – at almost 80 years old she has been on stage with the best players of the last century – don’t miss it

12 déc
Minuit
JAM SESSION Free!!!

13 déc
20H&22H
Sheila JORDAN & Aldo ROMANO
As above

13 déc
Minuit
JAM SESSION Free!!!

14 déc
21H
Mélanie DAHAN

15 déc
20H&22H
Dave LIEBMAN & Marc COPLAND
And wow – what a great chance to see these two together!

Jazz In Paris Best Bets for the last weeks of July - American Jazz Festival at Sunset Sunside

2008-07-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

The American Jazz Fest continues at Sunset/Sunside - complete listings

Lundi 21 juillet à 21h00 : Pyeng Threadgill Quintet
American Jazz Festival
Pyeng Threadgill - vocal ; John Shannon - guitare ; Kevin Louis - trompette ; Evan Pazner - batterie ; Derek Nievergelt - basse

daughter of Henry Threadgill with a gorgeous voice and jazz/soul stylings

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Mercredi 23 juillet , Jeudi 24 & Vendredi 25 juillet à 21h00 : Jacky Terrasson Trio
American Jazz Festival
Earl Travis - basse ; Terreon Gully - batterie ; Jacky Terrasson - piano

10 critically acclaimed albums with Blue Note - the remarkable pianist is at the festival for several nights

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Samedi 26 juillet & Dimanche 27 juillet à 21h00 : Jeri Brown & Jobic Lemasson Trio
pour l'enregisterment live at the Sunside
American Jazz Festival
Jeri Brown - vocal ; Jobic Lemasson - piano ; John Betsch - batterie
Jeri Brown has sung with everyone - Ellis Marsalis, Kenny Wheeler, Dizzy Gillespie,e Abdullah Ibrahim... And pairing her with the wonderful quartet of Jobic Lemasson is a stroke of genius. This is my pick for the week.

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Lundi 28 juillet à 21h00 : Steve Williams / Darryl Hall / Olivier Hutman "the New-York standard" Trio
American Jazz Festival
Steve Williams - batterie ; Darryl Hall - c.basse ; Olivier Hutman - piano

Hard bop! Steve Williams played with Freddie Hubbard, Eddie Henderson, Mulgrew Miller, Branford et Wynton Marsalis

Upcoming Week in Live Jazz in Paris - What's on Listings

2008-07-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

I think Paris Jazz in really well represented by what Sunset/Sunside (you'll find their address in the clubs section) is doing this week - so here's their entire schedule. If live jazz is what you're looking for in Paris then this is a great venue in a fabulous neighbourhood! (oh... and if its not clear - Sunset and Sunside are the same club - just different rooms )

American Jazz Fest Schedule

SUNSIDE ------------

Mardi 1 juillet à 21h00 & Mercredi 2 juillet à 21h00
Hamid Drake / William Parker / Sophia Domancich
American Jazz Festival
Hamid Drake - batterie ; William Parker - c.basse ; Sophia Domancich - piano

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Jeudi 3 juillet à 21h00 & Vendredi 4 juillet à 21h00
Glenn Ferris "Pentessence" Quintet
American Jazz Festival
Philippe Milanta - piano ; Bruno Rousselet - c.basse ; Jeff Boudreaux - batterie ;
Jean-Michel Cabrol - saxophones; Glenn Ferris - trombone

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Samedi 5 juillet à 21h00
Nancy King / Dan Tepfer / Glen Moore
American Jazz Festival
Nancy King - vocal ; Dan Tepfer - piano ; Glen Moore - c.basse

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Dimanche 6 juillet à 21h00
Hamilton de Holanda - bandolin

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Lundi 7 juillet à 21h00
Mark Helias / Tony Malaby / Tom Rainey
American Jazz Festival
Mark Helias - c.basse ; Tony Malaby - saxophones ; Tom Rainey - batterie

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Mardi 8 juillet à 21h00
Anat Cohen Quartet featuring Jason Linder
American Jazz Festival
Anat Cohen - saxophones, clarinettes ; Jason Lindner - piano ; Omer Avital - c.basse ; Daniel Freedman - batterie

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Mercredi 9 juillet à 21h00
Sachal Vasandani Quartet
pour la sortie de l'album "Eyes wide open" chez Mack avenue
American Jazz Festival
Jeb Patton - piano ; David Wong - c.basse ; Quincy Davis - batterie ; Sachal Vasandani - vocal

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Jeudi 10 juillet à 21h00
Andy Milne & Grégoire Maret Duo + Alon Yavnai trio
American Jazz Festival
Andy Milne - piano ; Grégoire Maret - harmonica ; Alon Yavnai - piano ;
Haggai Cohen Milo - c.basse ; Ziv Ravitz - batterie

!

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Vendredi 11 juillet à 21h00 & Samedi 12 juillet à 21h00
Walter Smith III & Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet featuring Aaron Parks
pour la sortie de l'album "Prelude" chez Fresh sound
American Jazz Festival
Walter Smith - saxophones ; Ambrose Akinmusire - trompette ; Aaron Parks - piano ; Marcus Gilmore - batterie ; Matt Brewer - c.basse

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Dimanche 13 juillet à 21h00
Laurent Courthaliac Trio "Broadway songs book" + Jam Session
Philippe Soirat - batterie ; Mathias Allamane - c.basse ; Laurent Courthaliac

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Lundi 14 juillet à 20h00 & à 22h
David Sanchez Quartet
Pour la sortie de l'album "Cultural survivor" chez Concord
American Jazz Festival
Lage Lund - guitare ; Henry Cole - batterie ; Hans Glawischnig - c.basse ; David Sanchez - saxophones

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------------ SUNSET ------------

Mardi 1 juillet à 22h00
Michael Cheret quartet + Vando'jam

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Mercredi 2 juillet à 20h00 & 22h
Oumar THIAM
Rendez-vous "Musiques Actuelles" au Sunset
Nu Soul folk acoustique
Oumar Thiam Guitare - Vocal; Igor Nikitinsky - Claviers; Pascal Udol - Basse; Isabelle Guidon - Percussions

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Jeudi 3 juillet à 20h00
L’Assemblée featuring Isabelle Olivier
Rendez-vous "Musiques Actuelles" au Sunset

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Vendredi 4 juillet à 22h00
Sophia Nelson
American Jazz Festival
Sophia Nelson - vocal ; Helene Rieux - vocal ; Henry Dorina - c.basse ; Mike Rajamahendra - batterie ; Jacky Arconte - guitare ; Fabrice Devienne - claviers ; Alain Doueieb - percussions ; Marco Agoudetse - sax ; Ludovic Louis - trompette

Upcomin'

2008-03-12T12:03:00.000-07:00

at the Banlieues Blues Festival, I'm curious about the concert with Wadada Leo Smith a multi-instrumentalist who is doing the premier of new works based around the legend of the boxer Jack Johnson, who, from 1908 - 1915, was the first black heavyweight champion of the world. That's happening on the 14th in their performance space in St. Ouen.

Also the formidable presence of Check Tidiane Seck will be gracing the halls of the Jazz Club Lionel Hampton. As a composer, arranger and musical director he's best known for his talent at the keyboard which reveals a music strongly influenced by his Malian influences...you'll be hearing a combination of jazz, hip hop, african and oriental sounds. He's on at the Lionel Hampton from the 25th to the 29th of March!

Don' miss

2008-03-04T05:26:00.000-08:00

Don' Miss... both on the 7th of March...

The Brad Meldau Trio at Salle Pleyel
With Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass and Jeff Ballard on drums.

In the mid-1990’s he became known as a partner for the saxophonist Joshua Redman. But Brad Mehldau will be recognized for the series entitled "The Art of Trio". A set of albums that, under the veneer of the classic jazz trio, contain a unique and vibrant personality. Don’t miss this concert in the fabulous acoustics of the Salle Pleyel

and the Divan du Monde is one of my favourite venues... filled with atmosphere and in the now jumping neighbourhood of Montmartre and the Boulevard. They're doing a free form Apero Swing Jazz, (translation - Drinks and Gypsy Jazz) and it'll be a bunch of fine invited guests. There's no entry charge, so you can wander in, see who's playing. Wander out along the boulevard and grab a drink on a terrace and then wander back a little later.

till Tuesday

2007-07-22T05:51:00.000-07:00

Things are off to a slow start this week, since I just rolled back into town from the west coast of Canada: and the jet lag is killing me...however, there's a couple of highlights coming up that need to be seen so I'll just mention a few of them before I doze off again.

First the Quartier d'ete festival is on (www.quartierdete.com) which means free concerts in unlikely little parcs and spaces all around the city. And these are not just local semi amateurs playing for their own neighbourhood. These are some really fine french jazzers gigging. Check out their site and schedule for concerts all over Paris....what could be better than a chance to check out a new neighbourhood, great music, a chance to picnic with a bottle of wine (or two) and some food surrounded by the cheerful and likeminded...

and for the Clubs -

on Monday the 23 at the New Morning (see club listings) the World Saxaphone Quartet will be continuing to develop their tradition of avant garde free jazz

on the two nights after, also at New Morning, their friend Roy Hargrove will be playing with his quintet. Hargrove received the Best Instrumental Jazz album award for his collaboration with Herbie Hancock on the the album Directions in Music

I might also drop into the monday night jam session at the Baiser Sale....its fun, its free and its a place to see some new talent and get up and make some music - what could be better!

ok...that's enough for now: I'll fill it up more next week when I can keep my eyes open for more than 10 minutes at a time...

July 11 - 24

2007-06-25T06:48:00.001-07:00

well...i'm taking a little holiday this week, trying to get away from the constant Paris rain! so i'm putting a few suggestions here for out of town events: If you're looking for a few days' sidetrip from Paris, why not try Gaou, a little place outside Toulon? July 11th through to the 26th, check out "Les Voix du Gaou"--a festival that includes the Buena Vista Social Club (July 24) & Peter Gabriel (July 25)...a combination you just don't see everyday! Call them for reservations 04.94.74.77.79.

Or go all-out and head south for a solid two weeks...first to Antibes for the Jazz A Juan (July 13-22) with a line-up that includes Norah Jones, Keith Jarrett, and the bluesman Lucky Peterson (04.97.23.11.11 for info) and second for the Nice Jazz Fest (until July 25) featuring its usual wild melange of jazz/funk/soul headliners--this year, Sly Stone AND Marcus Miller on July 19, Dee Dee Bridgewater (July23)--normally i'm not a rabid DD fan, but her current Mali-inspired album has me! and of course she'll be singing tracks from this album, accompanied by several of the musicians.

Meanwhile in Paris...on Thursday, head to the New Morning for ZUCO 103, a Dutch trio with Brazilian influences, should be a lot of fun (23.10€, 7-9 rue des Petites-Ecuries, metro Château d'Eau, call 01.45.23.51.41 for reservations/details). later, if the weather's half-decent, head out to the Parc Floral (out at Vincennes, see previous listings for more details) as the Paris Jazz Fest continues this weekend.

And for Bastille Day, July 14th, it's Caravan Palace: gypsy jazz fans should gather at La Villette's Cabaret Sauvage (a gorgeous old guinguette dance hall rebuilt by the industrial canal) starting at 8pm for a whole soiree of music...and a great dancefloor, too. (22 euros, metro Porte de la Villette, 01.42.09.03.09 for tix/info).

June 27 - July 3

2007-06-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

The weather isn't doing us any favours these days, but let's hope the temperature warms up soon because there's some great outdoor programming this week! Above, a picnic painting by Picasso to inspire you. Don't miss the really interesting bassist Avishai Cohen, playing Thursday lunch on the La Defense Esplanade, the entertaining Beat Assailant for Friday lunch (both are noon to 2pm, free) and the incomparable Ahmad Jamal on piano, Sunday night (8pm on the Esplanade, also free)

Also on Sunday, during the daytime, there's the kick-off event for the FESTIVAL MUSIQUES & JARDINS...outdoor events in different small parks of the 18th arrondissement (yes, my home turf!) The fantastic programming last year is being followed-up by an equally-good line-up now, including Angelique Ionatos & Michael Nick on Sunday at 4pm. (Parc de la Turlure, rue Chevalier de la barre & rue de la Bonne, near metro Lamarck-Caulaincourt.)

This weekend also: the Django Reinhardt Festival out in Samois-sur-Seine (get all the info 08.91.70.05.53 or here) Avishai Cohen on Friday night, Patrick Saussois & Alma Sinti on Saturday night. And a brief historic note...the festival takes place here because Reinhardt spent his last years in Samois, mostly fishing & playing billiards on the island when he wasn't playing clubs in Paris. So if the weather's good, you might want to make a day of it.

AND if that weren't enough...there's always the Paris Jazz Fest, shows start at 3pm Sat & Sun, this weekend the line-up features new faces on the scene including the Sophie Alour Quartet.

In the usual joints around town, you can find Jobic Le Masson at Autour de Midi (starts at 9pm), Pierre Sibille quintet at the Bilboquet tonight & tomorrow night, and Magic Slim et The Teardrops on Monday & Tuesday night at the Petit Journal Saint-Michel. (love the little French "et" in their name there...)

And a little something to plan ahead: the Jazz a Vienne festival gets going on the 28th. Worth the trip out towards Lyon for this festival, because many of the concerts take place in the largest surviving Roman amphitheatre in Europe...just think about those accoustics! Archie Shepp plays the closing show the 13th (tix 08.92.70.20.07)

June 20 - 26

2007-06-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

tomorrow is the longest day of the year and the now-internationally-celebrated Fete de la Musique...so you've got NO excuse for stayin' in. for a complete list of what's going on in your neighborhood, check out this link (in a new tab; i've set it up for my 'hood, so hit "modifier la recherche" & type in your own address for details closest to you!) from a jazz point of view, tomorrow launches an entire week of festivals & great stuff to see...starting in the 'burbs, from tonight until Sunday, there's the Festival Jazz en Boucle with Didier Lockwood on Friday night (among other players!)--call 01.48.89.99.10 for the whole schedule, info on how to get there, etc. The Couleurs du Jazz fest in Corbeil also until Sunday (see last week's post for info on getting there).

The Paris Jazz Fest continuing this weekend, pack yerself a picnic & go listen to some fab world jazz, Faya Dub & Richard Bona on Saturday, Tigran Hamasyan & Rabih Abou-Khalil on Sunday (see my previous posts for details on where/when). Then from June 21st until July 13th, the 3rd arrondissement is having a festival that's all over the map--jazz on Thursday, detective novels on Friday, waltzing lessons on Saturday (details here) And my favourite fest of the weekend is the Jazz Musette des Puces, which features all kinds of musicians invited by Didier Lockwood to celebrate jazz, Django Reinhart, and the wonderful world of the St.Ouen/Clignancourt flea market...in all the cafes of the market from 4pm 'til 7pm Saturday & Sunday [metro Porte de Clignancourt, then walk north through the flea market, keep an eye out for the Chope & for the Piccolo, two of the best venues.]

starting on Monday the 25th, we have lunchtime jazz with the La Defense Jazz Fest: Monday it's a world sound with Mamani Keita & Nicolas Repac, Tuesday it's sax jazz with The Volunteered Slaves [noon until 2pm, free on the Esplanade of La Defense...just walk above ground from the metro!]

And Tuesday night, the 26th, a great night out for ParisLovesJazz because your host, Bremner Duthie, is singing at the 7 LEZARDS [10 rue des Rosiers in the Marais, metro St-Paul, 01.48.87.08.97, 11 - 15 euros, starts at 9-ish]...see ya then!

June 13 - 19

2007-06-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

Festival season is picking up speed...as summer progresses, these listings will become more & more festival-obsessed...can't be helped. The Paris Jazz continues in the Parc Florale (metro Chateau de Vincennes, music at 3pm & 4:30pm Friday & Saturday--see last week's listings for more details!)

Tonight (Wednesday) there's a flamenco at L'Archipel (though how we're supposed to dance in the cinema-style performance space, i dunno) [17 bd. Strasbourg, metro Strasbourg-St.Denis, 18 euros]

Thursday, heading to Pantin for a celebration of a fab Hungarian label, BMC (Budapest Music Center)--two bands, UNIT and MONIO MANIA, led by sax eccentric Christophe Monniot. At the Dynamo [to reserve, call 01.49.22.10.10, take metro to 4-Chemins/Pantin, 9 rue Gabrielle Josserand] Alternately, if you want to stay downtown, check out sax player Francois Theberge with lanky Jobic Le Masson on keyboards at the 7 LEZARDS [10pm, 12 - 16 euros]

The jazz fest of La Defense starts their travelling showcases this weekend with Nu Jazz Friday night in Boulogne-Billancourt in the Grande Place [at 7pm] and Jazz Manouche on Saturday [8pm at Suresnes, on the Terrace de Fecheray] --both shows are free. In ten days this festival moves to its usual location, turning the Esplanade of La Defense into the best place to picnic over lunchhour...

Meanwhile, until June 24th, there's the Couleurs du Jazz Festival in Corbeil...which is a town barely 40 minutes by RER from Paris. The complete schedule is here...including a stellar Saturday night show with Demi Evans (think Nina Simone & you're going in the right sound direction, with a hint of Texas) and Elisabeth Kontomanou.

Also this weekend, the extremely interesting Desert Blues multimedia project over at the Quai Branly, featuring jazz and other styles of music from Mali: Habib Koité (a singer & griot storyteller), Afel Bocoum (who follows in the footsteps of Ali Farka Toure), and the group Tartit (a group of women musicians from Timbuktu) [at the Musee du Quai Branly, 218 rue de l'Universite--but don't go if you don't already have a ticket...it's now sold-out.]

Finally, on Monday there's an evening to support Amnesty International at the New Morning [tickets at FNAC, Virgin, etc, 7 - 9 rue des Petites-Ecuries, metro Chateau Rouge] featuring the Andre Ceccarelli quartet, the Sara Lazarus trio, and the Louis Sclavis quartet.

June 6 - 12

2007-06-06T03:17:00.000-07:00

it's now officially summer: the Paris Jazz Festival starts this weekend out at Chateau de Vincennes, with big band mania (the fest continues every weekend until the end of July.) Saturday, 3pm, has the Tony & Mizikopeyi Big Band followed by the Francois Laudet Big Band at 4:30. And Sunday afternoon, same times, there's Christophe Dal Sasso with his big band and ONJ Electrique.

If the weather holds, it'll be worth spending the day--before the musicians hit the stage, you can look at some jazz-inspired sculpture in the gardens, learn about the history of dance music in Pavillion 12, and if you want to try out your dance moves, Olivier Mendicot will be giving dance lessons behind Pavillion 12 from 12:30 to 1:30pm both Saturday & Sunday. Be sure to pack a good picnic! As always, the concerts are free, but you have to pay to get into the Parc Floral (only 4 euros). And...hold onto that park ticket: the Baiser Sale, Sunside & Sunset will give you a 5-euro discount on your entry if you show them your "jazz in the park" ticket.

After the park closes, there's Manda Djinn at the Swan Bar on Saturday and Katy Roberts & Celine Bonacina are doing a tribute to John Coltrane on Sunday evening [starts at 6pm, 15 euros, on the Vaisseau Fantome, a barge moored at 61 quai de Seine, metro Riquet]

Otherwise this week? Lots of choices! Tonight, Marcus Miller at the Grand Rex--there might still be tickets, try the FNAC or just show up [35-52 euros, 8pm, 1 bd Poissonniere metro Bonne Nouvelle].

Thursday, a free clarinet trio at Salle Henri Selmer [6:30pm at 18 rue de la Fontaine, metro Goncourt] then I'll probably pop by the 7 Lezards to see Christian Escoude and Alain Jean-Marie [7-15 euros, 10pm]

Friday & Saturday, sax hipster Julien Lourau plays with the Harald Haeter Quintet at the Sunset [22 euros,

10pm].

Sunday afternoon, an interesting opportunity to hear the EOL trio at "Dans Le Noir"--a bar/resto that's an initiative for the blind (it's entirely dark inside & the waiters are sight-impaired) Kind of a strange place for a meal, but a novel idea for a drink & a chance to listen to jazz with no visual distractions. I'll be there around 5pm. [Dans Le Noir, 51 rue Quincampoix, 4:30pm, metro Rambuteau or Les Halles]

And Monday, there's Michel Portal (clarinet, bandoleon), Bruno Chevillon (bass) and Michele Rabbia (percussion) at the always-atmospheric Bouffes du Nord. [22 euros, 8:30pm, 37bis blvd de la Chapelle, metro La Chapelle]

Planning ahead, you might want to book your ticket now to see Keith Jarrett on July 7th. [Salle Pleyel, 252 rue du Fbg St.Honore metro Ternes/CdG-Etoile, show starts at 8pm, reservations 01.42.56.13.13]

May 30 - June 5

2007-05-30T09:17:00.000-07:00

A quiet week (before things get hopping mid-June with the La Defense Jazz fest, among other goodies)...so why not take some time to check out the multitude of free weekly jams in the city? Here's a quick run-down: Every Wednesday, there's a jam at Autour de Midi...et Minuit, with the hard-working Hiroshi Murayama. [11 rue Lepic, metro Blanche, starts about 9:30pm] Or pop by the vocal jam run by Catia Werneck at the Baiser Sale. Sundays from 6pm, there's a samba-bossa-jazz jam hosted by Sorriso and Reginaldo at the Babilo [9 rue du Baigneur, metro Jules Joffrin]. And every Tuesday, you can drop by the Cafe Universel for vocal jams or the Sunside.

Now, in a different category of 'jam night', this Thursday is Véronique Bossong's last night as owner of the famous Duc de Lombards...and to celebrate Vero's 23-year-run, she'll be hosting a jam featuring some of her friends & most frequent players at the club. Should be excellent...and it's a chance to say "au revoir" and hear about new owner Gérard Brémond's upcoming plans.

Meanwhile, on Saturday I'll be listening to two jazz bands at the flea market...Frohn & Taranta Babu, starting at 8pm at the Picolo--one of my fave neighborhood haunts, you can eat here, drink here, & get your fortune told, before the bands get going...wander into the antiques part of the flea market & ask one of the vendors, they'll explain how to find the place [only 5 euros, 58 rue Jules Valles, in the "Puces de Clignancourt/St-Ouen", metro Porte de Clignancourt]

Also going on until Saturday: the "bande originale" festival...movie music at the Divan du Monde. More info here so if you feel like going out on Friday, the Divan on rue des Martyrs, just above the boulevard (metro Pigalle) might be just the ticket!

May 23 - 30

2007-05-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

This week...has some busy nights! First off, Elisabeth Kontomanou has "Carte Blanche" at the Duc des Lombards (ie. she invites musicians she likes to play at the Duke). Even if you don't know her name, you've probably heard her lovely album, Waitin' For Spring--she was named Voice of the Year at the Victoires du Jazz 2006. Tonight, she's invited Brazilian Bossa Nova vocalist Monica Passos; Thursday, brilliant minimalist drummer Leon Parker; and Friday & Saturday, sax player extraordinaire Sam Newsome. [tix 25 euros, show at 9:30pm or thereabouts]

I'm curious about the Peniche Antipode, floating in the canal near metro Riquet. They're advertising jazz on Thursday & Friday nights, starting at 9pm [from 5 to 8 euros, 69 quai de la Seine, 01.42.03.39.07]

But I might not make it there this week, because on Friday I'm heading out to La Dynamo, home to the Banlieues Bleues. Friday should be a superbly quirky evening, opening with WE INSIST--a sextet that surfs between experimental jazz & heavy metal (yep...John Zorn covers Queens of the Stone Age...doesn't it just make yer head bend to think about it?), followed by UNITED COLOR OF SODOM--a thrash big band led by bassist Jean-Philippe Morel. Can't wait. [10 euros, reserve tix online www.banlieuesbleues.org. La Dynamo, 9 rue Gabrielle Josserand in Pantin; it's right at the metro Aubervilliers-Pantin-4 Chemins...just walk around the block to the main entrance.]

Sunday, I might mosey down to the 7 Lezards' vocal jam hosted by Daniella Barda [starts at 8:30pm, so they say.]

Monday, I'm stayin' home, resting up for another foray into the burbs...because on Tuesday the Triton is celebrating the ALLUMES DU JAZZ (that's their logo up there). This is the association which represents 44 different indie jazz labels, and the evening should be a great chance to check out a slew of musicians I haven't seen before. For a free copy of the Allumes' Jan/07 newsletter, click here; a new issue is coming out next week, along with a spiffy new CD-- selections from 9 of their indie labels. So to celebrate, nine different musicians will be hitting the stage at the Triton, starting about 9pm. A darn good excuse to check out a great space, just barely outside Paris city limits. [15 euros, 01.49.72.83.13. Le Triton includes a swell bar & a resto that opens at 7pm, so you can eat when you get there, while waiting for the music to get going. 11 bis rue du Coq Francais, metro Mairie des Lilas.]

May 16 - 22

2007-05-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I'm thinking of dropping by the Swan Bar's vocal jam. But I might head home fairly early, because on Thursday, May 17th, I'll be at the Showcase under the Pont Alexandre for the finale of the St-G-des-P festival...Eol trio, Beat Assailant, Rubin Steiner, and Aronas. Starts at 9pm, wear your highest heels.

Friday night, there's Bobby McFerrin at the Theatre du Chatelet [place du Chatelet there with the sphinx fountain, 9pm, tix 20-55 euros]...have to admit I haven't thought about Bobby McFerrin for nearly twenty years (sheesh, feelin' old) but just took a listen to some new stuff of his, and you know, he still has the good quirkiness he had back in '87...

Saturday afternoon, Archie Shepp will drop into the FNAC at Ternes (26 ave. des Ternes) around 4pm, promoting his double album Gemini. And in the evening, Baptiste Trotignon is playing the Salle Pleyel--there might still be tickets for this (call 01.42.56.13.13) He was just at FNAC yesterday, promoting last year's Solo II (from Naive). But at Pleyel, there'll be hints of his newer work too--Trotignon often plays (& improvises) with Aldo Romano and Remi Vignolo... [252 Fbg Saint-Honore Metro Ternes, 8pm, 30 euros]

Sunday, odds are I'll drop by the great new venue, the "Dessous-de-Ginette" (that's their sign, up there) for an apero...live music starts when the bar opens at 6:30 pm [101 rue de Caulincourt Metro Lamark-Caulincourt, 01.46.06.01.49]

May 9 - 14

2007-05-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight (Wednesday) Rickie Lee Jones is at the Cigale (120 bd Rochcechouart, metro Pigalle, 20h)--critics are mixed on her latest album, Sermon on Exposition Boulevard-- too folk/sonic youth-ie for jazz diehards-- but Rickie will always have a place in my shuffle.

On Thursday, I'll be at the charming Cafe Montmartre listening to Benedicte--she's working with a new guitarist, Nelson Ferreira-Neto, who I'm interested in checking out. [10 euros, 9pm, to reserve call 06.07.95.47.91...though just showing up with no ahead-of-time planning is fine!]

Earlier on Thursday, RTL is recording a concert with Quebecois singer Terez Montcalm...she'll be at the RTL studio (22 rue Bayard, metro Franklin D) at 6:30 tomorrow--call RTL by dialling "3210" on your phone & reserve yourself a free ticket. (She'll be featured on Jean-Yves Chaperon's radio show on May 20th.)

Friday, I'm thinking of dropping by the Franc Pinot--Australian singer Wendy Lee Taylor will be there (she sings nightly at the Lido, but there are fewer feathers at the Franc Pinot) and after the first set there, I'll go to the Swan bar in Montparnasse, because livewire Manda Djinn is singing with her trio...and I always have a good time with that (165 blvd de Montparnasse)

Saturday, there's the musical bus...yup, the St-Germain-des-P festival is sponsoring a trio to drive around the 'hood on a 1950s Paris bus (you know...the kind with the back balcony where you can smoke & pretend you're in a Jean-Luc Godard movie). Bus leaves at 3:30pm from in front of St-Sulpice Church & it's free. If the weather's halfway decent, I'm going to be on it. And at night, I'll be at Sunside.

On Monday, the Laurent de Wilde trio with invited guests Malia (a wonderful jazzy pop singer) and intelligent rapper Abd Al Malik are at the Amphithéâtre Richelieu of the Sorbonne (visit this website for details; tix are 32 euros) Should be an interesting combination--I swear I heard Malia's "Paul Smith Shoes" song in Monoprix the other day... (by the way, the Richelieu room is small, so arrive early)

May 2-May 8

2007-05-02T03:45:00.000-07:00

Nice poster, eh? Election weekend brings a slew of great events, especially the Voix Est Libre fest...but I'll get to that in a minute. Personally I'm staying in on Thursday to chill, but fans of American gypsy jazz will be heading over to the Meridien Etoile Jazz Club to check out Lemmy Constantine--he's covering Ole Blue Eyes AND Django (hmm...that sounds marketable!)

Friday night's the kick-off for the Saint-Germain-des-Pres fest...drop by the Odeon, St. Michel and Cluny Starbucks for some free jazz (I know, Starbucks in Paris...but they've got some decent programming lined up), or for more serious listening, head over to the Sunset, which is featuring Tremplin Jeune Talent-- new performers selected specially for this festival. The Jeunes Talent is at Sunset every evening 'til Tuesday, for free--but get there early, the show starts at 6pm (no that's NOT a typo) and finishes around 9. Then head over to the resto-bar L'Ogresse for "Monk's Point" --Thelonious Monk interpreted by Philippe Nadaud (sax) & Joe Makholm (piano) [8 euros, 4 rue des Prairies 20th, metro Gambetta, 01.46.36.95.15...supposed to start at 8:30pm but you know it's okay to be late]

Saturday, it's time for the VOICE IS FREE...hop a metro to the Bouffes du Nord--the most atmospheric theatre in Paris. The 'Jazz Nomades' Festival has become "La Voix est Libre" incorporating spoken word & other performance forms, and it's taking over the Bouffes for 3 nights. The Saturday night line-up features Titi Robin--a gypsy jazz guitarist who consistently surrounds himself with jaw-droppingly good players...along with his usual crew, on Saturday he's performing with Danyel Waro...I recommend reserving in advance--and the festival threatens to start right on time, too, so don't be late. The festival takes a pause on Sunday (everyone should be voting, right?) then comes back on Monday with a Slam night, including super-popular Grand Corps Malade. The programme on Tuesday goes back to music--get all the details on their user-friendly site www.jazznomades.net [20 euros, or a 3-day pass for 45. Theatre des Bouffes du Nord, 7bis bd de La Chapelle 10th, metro La Chapelle, 01.46.07.34.50, starts at 8:30pm]

If it's sunny on Sunday afternoon, I might wander over to the free "jazz au feminin" concert in Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres (again, part of their festival). The afternoon includes some excellent women players like drummer Julie Saury and bassist Helene Szanto, as well as feature spots by vocalists Victoria Rummler and Melanie Dahan.

Monday, I'll be at the Fondation Cartier: the great saxophone-player, pianist and Free Jazz vocalist Archie Shepp is celebrating his 70th birthday with "Born Free"--guests include his drum-playing son Pavel, Malian keyboard plaer Cheick Tidiane Seck, and slam artist Roce. For those of us who missed him at La Villette last September! [25 euros, Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain, 261 bd Raspail 14th, metro Raspail. 01.42.18.56.50, starting at 7:30pm]

April 26-May 2

2007-04-26T02:39:00.000-07:00

ah...back in Paris & the nightly to-do list is fantastic! especially now that we're warming up to the festival season in France. we kick off next week with the always-excellent Festival Jazz a Saint-Germain-des-Pres...plan ahead by checking out their schedule (May 4--17) here. This weekend, the Versailles Jazz Fest gets going...one of the highlights is Sunday's American Spiritual mass at the Eglise Saint Symphorien in Versailles--if you're going to be out that way, check their listings for Monday night jam sessions etc.

[note--addresses of the main clubs are listed in the Venue section--saves my fingers from typing too much!]

Thursdays are often a good night to hit the town, this week is no exception: tonight's a perfect night to join The Paris Jazz Club...at the Duc des Lombards, the Club presents Italian Connection, Baiser Sale hosts Nico Morelli and the Sunside has the Stefano Bollani Quintet. What's "the Club"? Essentially, the Duc, the Baiser, Sunside & Sunset have teamed up to offer a discount to subscribers...it's not a bad deal, especially since the four clubs are all within a block of each other! all the details are here.
Also on Thursday, the Jazzcartoon (138 rue Montmartre, metro Bourse) is starting a full weekend of Blues, Soul and Gospel curated by Serge Felix Tchicaya.

On Friday, start your evening at the Czech Cultural Center, which is hosting one of its famous "Paris-Prague Jazz Club" evenings--on April 27 it's Ostas, Czech baroque-jazz starting at 19h (5 euros entry). Later that night, I'm considering hauling out to the 'burbs to see Bireli Lagrene Gipsy Project (21h, Theatre de Suresnes Jean Vilar, info 01.46.97.98.10; 20 euros) Lagrene currently is promoting TWO new albums on Dreyfus records--one with the Gipsy Project, backing Sara Lazarus on songs such as "It's Alright With Me". And the second (more exciting, in my opinion) Djangology, where Lagrene collaborates with the WDR Big Band.

For Kurt Weill fans, there's also Ute Lemper on Friday at the newly-renovated Salle Pleyel (accoustics are now to die for!) (252 Fbg Saint-Honore, metro Ternes, 30 euros, 01.45.61.53.00)...you can bet she'll do some standards, some cabaret, a pinch of Tom Waits & Elvis Costello, and maybe something from Chicago (she did her stint on Broadway back in the 90s, after all).
And if you're penniless, pop by the Cafe K for the Mathias Lvey trio (free, starts vaguely at 19h, 156 Fbg Saint-Martin, metro Gare de l'Est)

On Saturday, I might check out L'Ogre a Plume (49-51 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, metro Parmentier)--I've never seen jazz there but more & more bookings seem to be turning up at that address. Or I may go low-key (Saturday is my least favourite night out...too crowded!) and go over to Hemingway-hangout, Harry's New York Bar (5 rue Daunou, metro Opera) where Philippe Villiermet is playing piano downstairs. it'll be a chance to have a perfectly-mixed Bloody Mary.

On Sunday afternoon, I'm thinking of heading down to another new jazz location: Havane Cafe, 70bis blvd Auguste Blanqui, metro Corvisart. At 16h, they're hosting a free afternoon of jazz musicians including Frederic Loizeau.

And on Monday, there's Eric Barret's jam session at La Fenetre (77 rue Charonne, metro Charonne, 5 euros, 21h) Also on Monday, I might drop by Sunside to see Ludovic de Preissac's sextet (22 euros, 21h)...new compositions inspired by the 1950's.

April In Paris

2007-04-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

now there's a catchy phrase for a song!

I'm just back in town from the frozen north of Canada. Great to be back in Paris and Great to have missed the grey days of Jan/Feb/Mar in the city. I'll have an upcoming events listing up in the next few days!! Including the jazz fest of Saint-Germain-des-Pres, coming up really soon.
cheers
Bremner Duthie

Dongala's "A Love Supreme"

2006-08-03T02:25:00.000-07:00

It's August in Paris...half the city is closed & the other half is dazed. My internet connection seems to be alternating between those two states...fortunately, there's some great stuff coming up this month despite the summer hiatus. This week, I might finally get to a venue I've been meaning to visit: the small Cafe Select, over near metro St-Georges (37 rue des Martyrs 01.53.20.00.67)--there's the Lionel Boccara trio tonight at 9pm, free entry. On Friday & Saturday, Ricardo Nogueira is leading samba at Le Blue Note (14 rue Muller in my 'hood of the 18th)--and if you need more samba after that, on Sunday the Babilo (9 rue du Baigneur, also in the 'hood) hosts the Brazil jam session, starting at 6pm (really, that's the time they list! but don't worry about being punctual.) I was sorry to miss last night's Yerba Buena at New Morning, so if anyone was there, let me know how it was. But I'm booking tickets for later in the month to see "A Love Supreme", a play about the death of John Coltrane. Why see it? Because it's based on a short story by Emmanuel Dongala, the brilliant Congolese author, and the theatre piece includes some great musicians like Sebastien Jarousse on tenor sax. It's happening up at Parc de la Villette in the newly-renovated performance space Le Tarmac (01.40.03.93.95).

Small note: though Sunset is closed for August, Sunside soldiers on, as does Duc des Lombards.

Volunteered Slaves

2006-07-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Cette semaine...it's supposed to rain, which should cool the city off a bit, making the outdoor events on the weekend a little more bearable! The Paris Jazz Festival wraps up this weekend, and the Arenes du Jazz is on as well (see previous posting for more info on that)

Starting tonight (Wednesday) and playing through to Saturday the 29th is Olivier Temime et the Volunteered Slaves. Saxophoniste Temime has three albums (last year's 'Streetwise' on Nocturne got lots of great press), a wide-ranging slew of funky influences, & a sense of humour--the musicians got together first at the jazz fest of Marciac. oh, and in case you're wondering, the name is a Roland Kirk reference. (Duc des Lombards, 42 rue des Lombards, metro Les Halles. door: 19 euros, show starts sometime around 10pm)

Philippe Lucas is doing a Frank Sinatra tribute at the Caveau de la Huchette, Thursday through Saturday (call for more info, like what time he's actually on, what the cover is...01.43.26.65.05)

Note: The Sunset is closed until the end of August (so is the Petit Journal Montparnasse & Saint-Michel).

New Morning is continuing with its "Festival All Stars" through to August 4th--the idea comes from the fact that there are all kinds of great American players wandering through France in the summer, so New Morning is booking them when they hit Paris. See their website for details.

Meanwhile, on the world-jazz side of things, I'm tempted to check out two different addresses in my 'hood (partly because then I won't have to take the steamy metro anywhere): first, there's Kaky Duo (Algerian chaabi) at the Bab-ilo, 9 rue du Baigneur (metro Jules Joffrin, Friday, July 28th, 10pm); next, there's Marcello Ferreira (samba) at Le Blue Note, 14 rue Muller (metro Anvers, Friday & Saturday, 10pm)

too darn hot

2006-07-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

My metro line 4 is so sweaty that I'm finding it difficult to get motivated for the weekend programming at the Paris Jazz Festival...but worth it, here's the schedule (sit in the shade & take LOTS to drink). On Sunday the 23rd the Parc Andre Citroen has a free party with great music - here's their website - the Mardi Gras Brass Band is catching my eye, seems to suit the weather. Monday night, William Chabbey Trio is hosting the jam at the Oubiettes (check what we said last time). Tuesday the 25th, vocalist Christine Flowers is taking on the standards at the 7 Lezards (and these days, basement venues are attractively cool). Note that the venue Petit Journal Saint-Michel is closed July 24th to Sept. 1st And in a theatre not a club, until the end of July, Fanny Werner is doing a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald every Monday and Saturday, at the Theatre des Cinq Diamants, 10 rue des Cinq-Diamants, 13th (call 01.45.80.51.31 for reservations).

IF you're a soul/blues fan, consider getting out of town next week for the festival called Cognac Blues Passion in Charente - the line-up includes Otis Clay, BettyLavette and believe it or not, Earth Wind & Fire. Hmmm. I'm more tempted to book a trip to Marciac, a village that's only known for its amazing summer jazz, with a veritable who's-who on the programme: Kenny Garret, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, John Zorn, the ubiquitous Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bonerama (lotsa trombones & a tuba) from New Orleans, plus a slew of others including some smaller free concerts. Okay, now it's time to reserve a rent-a-car...

the festivals

2006-07-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

where i'm going this week:

Monday, July 10th - Julien Lallier's quartet (www.julienlallier.com) is playing the 7 Lezards, 21h

Friday, Bastille Day (July 14th): Bassist Patrick Ruffino, originally from Benin, (& one of the main energies in the group Fa) is playing the Baiser Sale. 22h

Saturday, July 15th: if the weather is good, I'm heading to the Parc Florale to hear sax player Charles Lloyd

Sunday, July 16th at 4pm: Montmartre native Joelle Leandre is doing a free solo concert with bass, concentrating on free jazz with a few contemporary music pieces thrown in (John Cage, mostly). Couldn’t be a more poetic location: the garden of the Museum of Montmartre, 12 rue Cortot in the 18th.)

Monday, July 17th: i have a nifty invite to RTL Jazz Festival to hear pianist Ahmad Jamal, who i've never heard live, so should be interesting. (the RTL fest also features Stochelo Rosenberg on July 12th and Aldo Romano on July 18th)

FESTIVALS... there are so many in the summer, it's impossible to keep up, but here are a few that you simply can't miss:

Paris Jazz Festival until July 30th (free concerts but you have to pay 4 euros to get into the Parc Floral in the Parc de Vincennes www.parisjazzfestival2006.com

Les Arenes de Jazz : second year for this mini-festival in my arrondissement! July 26th-July 31st, at the Arenes de Montmartre (rue Chappe, near Sacre Coeur in the 18th) Programme includes Elisabeth Kontomanou, Guillaume de Chassy, Paolo Fresu. For a full schedule, visit http://www.quartierdete.com/ (the Arenes is part of the city's QUARTIER D'ETE summer festival schedule).

Jazz A Luz, July 8 - 11th www.luz.org (almost over, but if you're in the area, check it out)

Jazz A Juan, if you're down south, this is the one with the biggest names: July 12 - 22nd features Diana Krall, Tracy Chapman, plus several big bands. There's also the 'off-festival' or alternative jazz festival in Juan les Pins throughout July, with some great players in local venues; check out http://www.antibesjuanlespins.com/ for details

plus I found this unbeautiful but useful list of all kinds of festivals across France, so plan your travel route accordingly: http://www.jigal.com/france/frconc-fest.html