5 REASONS NOT TO MISS THE PEILLON JAZZ FESTIVAL

Set a date from 30 June to 3 July 2023

The newest of the Côte d’Azur jazz festivals is also the first to kick off the summer season! As of 30 June 2023, head for Peillon, a hilltop village at 376 m above sea level, for four evenings of concerts in a “friendly jam session” atmosphere.

The blues note captured the historic village in 2021. Four timeless evenings when jazz resonated through the twisting narrow streets. Over ten programmed concerts attracting some 500 festivalgoers every evening and causing about fifty volunteers to swing into action. Here are five reasons not to miss this summer meeting that has become an essential.

1 – THE PROGRAMME WITH A FEMININE NOTE

For the opening evening on Friday, 30 June, the saxophonist Samy Thiébault – a performer with a “delivery that dances between trance and a spiritual message” – will offer an “Original creation”. The singer Robin McKelle will then take over for her “Impressions of Ella” (Fitzgerald), an initiatory journey into the heart of the America, from country to R&B.

On Saturday, 1 July, accordionist Christophe Lampidecchia takes the spotlight with his “French Colors”, grouping together nine compositions from a jazz waltz to an Argentinian tango, via Hispanic ballads and bebop. He will be followed by the artist China Moses and her “Black American Music”, with soul, jazz, blues, funk and rock accents.

On Sunday, 2 July, the prodigious 17-year-old pianist Giovanni Gambino will perform in a quartet with his “Talent azuréen”. The double bass player Clovis Nicolas will then interpret “The Contrapuntist”, blending his dual jazz and classic training. The pianist Giovanni Mirabassi will punctuate the evening with his Italian-style approach to jazz, in the company of the drummer and patron of the festival, André Ceccarelli, and the double bass player Thomas Bramerie.

On Monday, 3 July, the guitarist Sylvain Luc will offer his “South Story” with an all-star quartet! And lastly, the pianist Jean-Pierre Como will offer his “My Little Italy”, a tender, sunny and joyful evening to close the festival.

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2 – THE INTIMATE NATURE OF THE FESTIVAL

“In Peillon, it’s the Festival of the Heart, explains the crooner Hugh Coltman, who was on stage last year. You’re not necessarily looking for the big stages; but for the emotion with the audience above all… 300 or 1000 people, it’s the same thing. Here, it’s very intimate, I loved it! With a larger audience you need to put on more of a show…”

This festival unlike the others pays homage to the local jazz great of international renown, the double bass player Marc Peillon. A prophetic name that inspired the creation of the Peillon Jazz Festival in Peillon, a village in the Nice hinterland, following a meeting between the two co-founders of this event, Jean-Marc Rancurel, the Mayor of Peillon, and Alban Leloup.

In this open-air jazz club, international stars are friends with the local artists for a rich programme, orchestrated by two jazz lovers, Alban Leloup and Thomas Layrac.

3 – THE HISTORIC VILLAGE

The old village of Peillon is a listed treasure, perched on a vertiginously steep outcrop. The opportunity to discover its maze of narrow streets and vaulted passages formerly used by the mules… up to this incredible panoramic view overlooking the Launa valley.

Not to mention the listed frescos by Canavesio in the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs [Chapel of the White Penitents]. The opportunity also to take new hiking paths to get to the Festival!

“The location is inspiring, it’s a call to make music… declared the pianist Eric Legnini last year. When you meander through the village you see the surrounding landscape, you can already imagine how unique it will be! When you get to the peak, you say to yourself ‘how beautiful is this!’ This village has a soul…”

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4 – THE TASTY FOOD

The hundred-year-old communal wood oven will crackle for the occasion! No less than 22 kg of Socca will be made during the Festival!

A panoramic terrace for gourmets or a fast-food stall with a food truck, there’s something for every taste and every budget!

The “A Feu Lent” [Over a slow fire] food truck will offer an Argentinian barbecue (flame grilled Angus beef, lamb, empanadas, calamari, etc.).

The Auberge de la Madone will offer a choice of snack foods (pizza, pan bagnet, pissaladière), but the hotel-restaurant, which overlooks the concert site, will also create two “Jazz Menus” for the occasion: bistronomic and gastronomic.

5 – THE TAILOR-MADE ORGANIZATION

“For six days, the entire land swings into action. Every year, we have to overcome the challenge of being able to route all the festivalgoers to the top of the old village – not easy in view of the lack of parking spaces – thanks to the rotation of six minibuses… Ensuring the welcome and the entire organization, that’s not improvised!” acknowledges Jean-Marc Rancurel and Thierry Marre, general coordinator for the Festival.

Volunteers therefore manage the parking at three free car parks at the foot of the village near the town hall square.

The transport is provided free of charge by shuttles, as of 15:00.

An innovation for this year, a free bus is also being put on, departing from the bus station in Nice at 17:30 (return around midnight).

Caution: as the number of seats is limited to 30, you must book by telephone at Peillon Town Hall on 04.93.79.91.04.