Summary

Ruthie Foster – First concert “Jazz in Juan”

The music of Ruthie Foster is a diverse blend, possessing a remarkable alchemy that fuses blues, gospel, jazz, grass roots and folk and her voice has a haunting lilt that has seduced critics, who find in her style something of the great icons Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin.

Ruthie Foster, who was chosen by Soulbag Magazine as discovery of the year, is a true living legend.

James Blunt - First concert “Jazz in Juan”

This singer is more complex than he may at first appear. The young James, a long-haired rebel, abandoned his sociology studies and instead did an aerospace engineering degree in the British army. Dispatched to Kosovo, he revived troop morale (and his own) by singing John Lennon songs. He had obviously brought his guitar in his pack, and even attached it to his armoured vehicle. It was this experience of the Balkans torn apart by war that inspired his “No bravery” track.

After four years of good and loyal service, he left the armed forces and took part in the celebrated South by Southwest Festival in Austin in 2003.

Didier Lockwood – His concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 1978, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2002

Three world tours and more than 30 albums, 3,000 concerts in illustrious venues, his first being in Juan 30 years ago! What more to say of Didier Lockwood other than that he has been part of all the great adventures in French jazz for the last thirty years. A household name with massive talent and his attractive looks make him a megastar of the media and seller of hit records.

The violinist has touched the chords of music lovers without ever losing his originality and freshness. Highly praised with few critics, he has pursued his career without faltering, always going straight “from the heart to the ear” of his audience.

Thomas Dutronc - His concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 2002 with Birèli Lagrène and Gypsy Project

It could be considered a disadvantage to be talented and the son of two famous artists, icons of several generations, as the young Thomas Dutronc only had to tell the media who his parents were to step into the spotlight himself. However, though not renouncing his illustrious background, Thomas was happy to play it down and seek success in perfect serenity. After all, his friend Mathieu (Chédid) is Louis’ son and that never stopped him being himself!
Thomas Dutronc has followed in the tradition of his parents but has forged his own style. He certainly has music in his veins, but nothing was written until the day he discovered Django Reinhardt. He will always remember his 1949 version of «Clouds”, and was extremely excited at his discovery.

James Morrison

There are some people that exude such warmth you feel as if you already know them. This must certainly be very much the case with the two Australian jazz musicians, trumpeter James Morrison and pianist Joe Chindamo. Playing his first instrument at 7 years, in his first group at the age of 9, his first concert when he was 13 and making his début at Monterey at 16 in an astonishing concert, James Morrison counts among the elite of great stars. An eclectic musician who plays twelve instruments or more, he has played alongside such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, George Benson, Ray Charles, BB King and Wynton Marsalis as well as with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lalo Schiffrin in front of Her Majesty the Queen.

Yaron Herman - First concert “Jazz in Juan”

All that years will bring this talented young musician is maturity. At 16 years of age Yaron Herman gave up his career as a basketball player when the desire to play the piano engulfed him. Dribbling and passing were replaced by trilling and scales! The young player greatly admired Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley and John Coltrane as well as Bach, traditional folklore from his native country and the pop music of his generation including artists such as Bjork and Beasty Boys. Yaron Herman has spectacular talent. When he plays his instrument he is completely immersed in the music and totally carried away by it as he takes enormous chances, mixing pulsing rhythm and soft vocals while losing nothing of the quality of the sound.

John McLaughlin - His concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 1974, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1999.

Vishnu has four arms, McLaughlin has ten fingers and Zen attitude that have helped him become one of the greats in the history of jazz, performing in memorable concerts such as Shakti and Mahavishnu Orchestra. His matrix training produces a sound that since 1973 haunts and surges and refreshes the spirit and body. He is on a quest of all that is musically possible, he is never artificial and is an insatiable, unclassifiable musician ever seeking new ways of expressing himself through his music.

Sashira Lao – Their concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 2007 Audience Prize at “Jazz in Juan Revelations”

They describe themselves as “a vocal trio of instrumental jazz”. Sashira Lao is perhaps the only trio in the world that has 3 voices, 2 saxophones, a trombone, a flute, a snare drum, a darbuka and a looper to name just some of their repertoire. They are all versatile musicians, singers and percussionists. David Amar and Yona Yacoub play the saxophone, Fred Luzignant the trombone. Their roles are ever-changing which surprises, enchants and breaks down established musical barriers. The delight they bring their audiences was apparent in the uproarious applause they received last year in “Jazz in Juan Revelations”.

Nicole Henry

Her concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 2007 Grand prize in “Jazz in Juan Revelations”

Nicole Henry is wickedly glamorous. Sophisticated with an underlying simplicity. A classic beauty with a rare, husky soul voice with natural rhythm that reignites jazz standards.

Solomon Burke - His concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 2004, 2005

Solomon Burke, with Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, is considered one of the co-founders of soul music, the mix of gospel and Rhythm and Blues. Born in Philadelphia on 21 March 1936 (or maybe 1940), he started producing hit numbers at the beginning of the 60s with “Down in the Alley” and “If you need me”. The Rolling Stones adopted two of his international hits: “Cry to Me” and “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love”. The “King of Rock and Soul”, Solomon Burke was overtaken in the charts by Otis Redding and became a preacher at “Solomon’s Temple”, nevertheless staying in the music scene.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - Her concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 2005

After singing her heart out with the Four Tops, Peaches and Herb and Maceo Parker, this “vintage” idol of a generation has become “Soul Singer Number One”. Like James Brown a native of Augusta in Georgia, she has been influenced by all the ghosts of Motown. Sharon Jones is brimming with raw energy, drowning in soul and high priestess of a semi-divine trance state. “Most certainly the hottest, brightest and greatest sound around” said the Rolling Stones.
Her outfits recall Tina Turner and her legendary energy crackles on stage accompanied by her zappy Dap Kings (Amy Winehouse adores them!). Her fruity, husky voice knows no limits, as she sings in continual flow and flux and delights her audiences strutting her stuff and singing from the very depths of her heart and soul.

Roy Hargrove Acoustic Quintet - His concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 1994, 2007

Roy Hargrove is the Nicolas de Stael of jazz trumpeters, his work and style in a constant state of evolution. Emblematic of jazz trumpet music and prodigal child, he is loved by fans young and old for his heartfelt performances and individual style that appeals to Hip Hop and Rhythm and Blues audiences as well as all those who love jazz in its purest form.

Marcus Miller - His concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005

Bass and multi-instrument player and arranger, Marcus Miller’s fusion, jazz-rock, funk, rock and blues solos shine out in their nobility and are executed with a panache that leaves audiences gasping.

Brother in arms with Miles Davis on the phenomenal album “Tutu”, partnered with Kenny Garrett, Herbie Hancock and clever accomplice of Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, “M2” (Marcus and Miller), he has influenced modern jazz and jazz funk with his inimitable production and style.

TSF Jazz in Juan Revelations
To stars around the world the Pinede Gould is to a jazz player what the Scala in Milan is to an opera singer: a legendary symbol of international recognition and star quality.
It is for this reason that “Jazz in Juan Revelations” was created in 2003, an international event to present and encourage new jazz trends, as today more than ever before the tradition can only endure by moving with the times.
Many new artists appear in this contest which promotes them on the international jazz scene.

Those appearing this year in the Jazz Vocal category:

STEPHY HAIK

Brought up in a Franco-American environment steeped in jazz, Stephy Haik frequently flies over the Atlantic to Europe where she is renowned for her exceptional performance skills. Her great artistic promise lies in her superb interpretation of jazz standards which she adapts in her own very special way. Her smooth swing jazz vocals have been in demand when working and performing with such artists as André Ceccarelli, Bireli Lagrene, Lambert Wilson and Pierre Christophe.

DIANA PANTON

This great artist (who has a degree in French literature) from across the Atlantic has always received a great deal of recognition, and since being discovered by the Canadian multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson this rare and talented singer has already featured in magazines and been heaped with honours such as “Best Jazz Recording” and “Hamilton Music Awards”.
The profound passion in her voice enchants her audiences at all her performances, and phrases such as “Aesthetically wonderful” and “So soulful” well describe this promising young singer.

NATHALIE SOLES

Nathalie Soles’ life could be divided into two parts. The first part being in France where she was born with an Italian mother and a father from Togo, then going to Morocco where she spent most of her childhood. The second being when she met the great Dizzy Gillespie who immediately said: “Girl, you have to keep singing!” Taking him at his word, she flew off to Quebec and gave full rein to her talent in the mythical Charlie Biddle Club in Montreal. After she worked in New Orleans and the United States, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Japan where with her astonishing voice with a natural range of four-and-a-half octaves she was universally loved and applauded.

VIRGINIE TEYCHENE

Children with a musical parent often inherit their love of the profession. With touches of Callas, Mahalia, Billy, Ella and Sarah and slight traces of Chet Baker and Joao Gilberto, the self-taught young Virginie developed a solid vocal technique while at the same time absorbing the vast and profound culture of black American music. Now a mature artist, she has her own very special style that mingles raw emotion , improvisation and rare mastery of simple rendering that delves into the essential in the piece with a relaxed, sophisticated delivery and innate sense of swing.

Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette: Their concerts in “Jazz in Juan”: 1966, 1974, 1976, 1979. In trio: 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

You just keep on discovering more and more of Keith Jarrett! Since 1966 when he appeared with the Charles Lloyd quartet at the age of 21, and with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette he has become a veritable institution. His music is timeless, the rich essence of jazz that keeps on flowing and surging.

Women of Chicago Blues – First concert in “Jazz in Juan”

Watch out for these three women of Chicago! They really are quite something! Three great women!
“Jazz in Juan” welcomes these ultra-revival ambassadors of the famous Chicago blues, promised land for millions of black immigrants fleeing the segregation in the South and which became the cradle of urban blues at the beginning of the 20th century. After the Second World War, Chicago Blues emerged as energetic electronic blues played by a group with powerful voices.Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Elmore James, Buddy Guy, B.B.King and many others made the “windy city” world capital of the blues.

Bill Wyman - First concert in “Jazz in Juan”

Jumping Jack Flash! He was bass guitarist with the Rolling Stones for 30 years. On nodding terms with Jimmy Hendrix. He left the glitz and glamour of Rock and Roll and Mick Jagger’s gyrations and Keith Richard’s controversial ideas. No more massive stadiums that seemed more like “the Normandy landings than a rock concert.” He is now playing a style of music that he feels is intrinsically his own.

“I was a child before Rock and Roll existed. Good music wasn’t universally available so I sometimes listened to jazz with the family: Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong …” The Stones took their name in homage to Muddy Waters and Wyman replaced Dick Taylor on bass in 1962. Now “Stone Alone” Bill is playing what comes naturally to him and returning to the music that he loves: the blues. Blues and Boogie, Rockabilly, Rock and Roll and jazz. In Juan!

“Jazz in Juan” is the only European festival regarded as the “song of the soul” and the sacred source of jazz. Jazz greats who appear endorse this: in 1960 Sister Rosetta Tharpe appeared. Followed by Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Nina Simone, Marion Williams, Mahalia Jackson, James Brown, The Neville Brothers, Marva Wright and many more. One of the highlights of the festival each year remains the traditional gospel night in the Pinede that unites the Catholic and Anglican communities. A meeting full of fervour in the town of “joie de vivre” dear to the heart of Picasso and a certain Sidney Bechet.

Nicole Slack Jones and the Soul Sisters - First concert in “Jazz in Juan”

Native of New Orleans, Nicole Slack Jones found her voice at the age of five in the Saint Paul COGIC Church Choir, principal Pentecost choir in her area of Louisiana. She had the useful backing of a mother who was a singer and a father who was jazz saxophonist and very rapidly she abandoned her girlish curls and took to the stage.