Forget the soft trad jazz of some of Paris’ cheesier jazz clubs; this festival isn’t afraid to make bold, refreshing choices and show that jazz is both modern and relevant…

photo : Eva Vermandel


Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean evening after evening of grating free jazz (not my thing at all). Without forgetting classic artists like Archie Shepp or festival favourites such as Eric Truffaz, Jazz A La Villette also includes an amazing, diverse array of jazz-influenced artists who are not afraid to step over purist boundaries; Bumcello, Pierre Henry, The Matthew Herbert Big Band (pictured above, and brilliant), DJ Spooky (with a tribute to Jackson Pollock), Tortoise, Lalo Schiffrin…

As if that weren’t enough, several other festival-related events are being held nearby, such as a concert by electro genius-stroke-wonderboy SebastiAn at the Point Ephemère, and jazz-related film showings at the MK2 Quai de Seine cinema. As the official site says, quoting Frank Zappa, “Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny!” We think this festival smells very interesting indeed…

Here’s all the essential information for the 2008 Jazz a la Villette festival

When: 2nd – 14th September 2008
Where: eight different venues in and around La Villette in the north-east of Paris (see the map below for details)
How much: variable, from 6€ (for a film) – 30€ (for Lalo Schiffrin). Cheaper rates if you book three concerts or more
More info: on the official site or myspace page