Montreux Jazz Festival - Europe´s Most Prestigious Jazz Event on Lake Geneva

It has since become Europe’s most prestigious Jazz event. However, it has never locked itself into just one format…

because it presents music lovers also with soul, funk, blues, reggae, rap, pop and rock as well as its namesake style.

It seams to be always on the curve with well-known and new talent, exclusive jams and the finest sound system and halls. Back in the late 60´s, it actually began with a three-day event and featured almost exclusively Jazz artists.

Since then, this festival has grown to sixteen days. It added much to the strong musical tradition of this ever-popular town that sits on the banks of beautiful Lake Geneva.

At first, the old Casino hosted the Montreux Jazz Festival. Than, in December 1971, it burned down during Frank Zappa´s performance from which the song "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple tells the story.

Musical forms other than Jazz have long since become part of the celebration. Many high-class musicians represent just about every kind of music producing a colourful mixture of sounds. In the past, many legendary Jazz musicians like Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone or Keith Jarrett performed in Montreux.

However, the focus is no more just on Jazz, which the yearly artist list of the festival proves. World famous musicians like Frank Zappa, Carlos Santana, Johnny Cash, Nina Corti, Simon & Garfunkel, George Benson, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry and many more attended the Montreux Jazz Festival.

You will not only expect some outstanding concerts but also truly unforgettable experiences. There not just top musicians performing on the main stages, Miles Davis Hall and the Stravinski Auditorium located in the convention centre.

But there are also over 300 free concerts by all types of artists performing daily from mid-day until late at night at various venues. Additionally, the festival includes popular musical cruises on salsa, samba, gospel and dance ships. It invites festival-goers to take part in a floating carnival on Lake Geneva surrounded by a perfect scenery.

The Montreux Jazz Festival is an excellent place to meet celebrities who live in Switzerland.

Since the 19th century, artists, writers, and musicians have been attracted to this resort city. Montreux with its distinct French accent and worldly atmosphere is indeed more ambitious compared to Cannes in France.

When you see the palms, cypresses and magnolias that flourish here and the cafés that line the marvellous lakeside walks, you will understand why foreigners call it the Swiss Riviera. The mountains to the north protect the cities of Lausanne, Vevey and Montreux from the harsh winter winds. Yet, the winters here are not as cold as you may think.

Many celebrities, wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs and sport stars living in this region can prove that.

The former music star Freddie Mercury really loved it here. Today, a statue on the lake in Montreux still reminds of him. Other music stars are Canadian born Shania Twain who lives close by in La Tour-de-Peilz or Phil Collins who lives in Begnins.

Just down the coast to the east between Montreux and Villenueve lies the Chateau de Chillon. It is Switzerland’s most important and most photographed castle with parts of it dating back 1,000 years. Click here to read more about the Chateau de Chillon.

The Montreux Jazz Festival is held annually in early July. The nearest city is Lausanne, which is about 15 minutes from Montreux. Geneva, the smallest metropolis in the world is less than 1 hour away and accessible by either train or car.

Tickets are on sale from early May on at 41-848 800 800, fax 41-21 961 1475. For more information, contact Montreux Jazz Festival, Case Postale 126, Ch-1820 Montreux-Territet, Switzerland.

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