Vienne Jazz Festival 28th June 2009

The afternoon performances in the Cybele gardens were varied and exciting best of the bunch were the JB Hadrot Trio from Lyon - a terrific sounding piano trio led by Jean-Baptiste Hadrot influenced by EST and Ravel among others the trio's music was always interesting and kept you watching and listening for each turn of phrase and change of direction - a great prospect for the future.



Sunday at Vienne is gospel night and tonights show featured two bands performing together. Gregory Hopkins and the Harlem Jubilee Singers provided the vocals and the music came from the excellent Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra. Playing the sacred music of Duke Ellington mostly composed in the latter stages of his life this was a vibrant as well as solem exposition of this work - it was much enjoyed by performers and crowd alike.







Tonight it is the turn of the big bands and in particular two favourite Italian friends of ours here at Edition Flavio Boltro (trumpet) and Stefano Di Battista (Sax) who are playing with the Laurent Cugny Enormous Band - see pictures and reports demain!!

Vienne Jazz Festival 2009

So, here we are again in the lovely town of Vienne, just outside of Lyon for one of France's premiere festivals. The mains shows take place in the Theatre Antique, a Roman ampitheatre perfectly suited to evening concerts.

This years festival was brilliantly kicked off with Africa night featuring three excellent show.

First up was Cheick Tidinae Seck featuring 90 year old piano legend Hank Jones - Hank is playing later in the week but here was guesting with Seck (on Hammond) and his vibrant band.
Round of applause for Hank!

One of the backing singers

Cheick Tidiane Seck
One of Oumou Sangare's backing singers
The middle show features Oumou Sangare a beautiful singer and performer from Mali. Her show was full of movement and joyful life - with a great band and eye catching dancers/backing vocalists.



Don't ask!!
The top of the bill was huge Sengalese icon in France Youssou N'Dour. A superstar in the shores his songs were sung by the audience and he was clapped and cheered at every move. A great show to get the body moving and the heart pumping (even at 12.45am after a long day on the autoroute!)







Tonights show is the Gospel night featuring the Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra and Gregory Hopkins - and monday features two big - Laurent Cugny and Jason Lidner - so watch this space!!