Welcome to the Montreux Jazz Festival Residency! Young talents and big names from the jazz, soul and funk scenes will come together from 15 to 18 October 2025 at the Petit Palais at Fairmont The Montreux Palace. The programme includes concerts, showcases, workshops, jam sessions and DJ sets. All activities are free.
Organised for the sixth consecutive year, the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF) autumn festival revolves around a unique artistic residency. Over four days, eight emerging bands benefit from an intensive programme supervised by renowned mentors. In the evenings from 6pm, the residency opens its doors to the public with a rich musical, educational and festive programme.
CONCERTS
Every evening, two emerging bands from the residency – one Swiss and one international – will perform on stage. The audience will be able to vote for their favourite band as part of the Prix Coup de Cœur offered by Julius Baer Bank.
- Wednesday 15 October: Antonio Monasterio Ensamble, a Chilean sextet renowned for its dynamic live performances, and Rania Yasmine, a singer with Tunisian and Dominican roots who blends soul, R&B, jazz and Afrobeat.
- Thursday 16 October: Den Dala, a Zurich-based instrumental quintet that captivates audiences with its soaring sounds, and ISHA, a Dutch bassist and producer who is currently making a name for herself on the London scene.
- Friday 17 October: Wet Enough!?, a French quintet that condenses the most danceable sounds of funk, electronica and hip-hop, and Aino Salto, the solo project of Bern-based Sonia Leonne, combining bittersweet pop with touches of jazz.
- Saturday 18 October: Ramzi Hammad, a Swiss-Palestinian drummer and composer who heads a Zurich-based collective that builds bridges between jazz and Levantine music, and Bananasoverdose, a Somali-Ethiopian artist who is redefining East African music, funk and jazz.
WORKSHOPS
A key activity at the MJAF, workshops enable artists to share their knowledge and express themselves – often to music – on a theme of their choice.
- Wednesday 15 October: Jas Kayser, British drummer who has toured with Lenny Kravitz and Jorja Smith, among others, will discuss the art of drumming.
- Thursday 16 October: Mádé Kuti, grandson of the legendary Fela Kuti, will look back on his family heritage and the evolution of Afrobeat.
- Friday 17 October: Lizz Wright, one of the greatest American singers of this century, will talk about the most organic and intimate instrument: the voice.
- Saturday 18 October: Christian Sands, one of the most promising American jazz musicians of his generation, will immerse you in the world of the piano.
SHOWCASES
The showcases are short – but intense – performances given in the intimate setting of the Coupole of the Petit Palais. The programme features artists who have received support from the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation.
- Wednesday 15 October: Faraj Suleiman, Palestinian pianist who immortalised his 2018 concert on the album Live at Montreux.
- Thursday 16 October: Islandman, Turkish psychedelic band, winner of a Montreux Jazz Talent Award in 2018.
- Saturday 18 October: Federico Casagrande, Italian guitarist and winner of the Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition in 2007.
JAM SESSIONS
The famous Montreux jam sessions will rock the stage at La Coupole every evening from 10.15 pm. They will be opened and led by a trio consisting of Daisy George(bass), Leandro Irarragorri (keyboard) and Zoe Pascal (drums), all three members of the in-house band for the jam sessions organised during the Montreux Jazz Festival.
CLOSING PARTY
On Saturday, starting at midnight, it’s time for the traditional closing party with British DJ Tim Garcia, founder of the Musica Macondo label, renowned for his versatile selections ranging from jazz, house, broken beat, hip-hop, Latin and Afro sounds.
LISTENING SESSION DU MONTREUX SONGWRITING CAMP
On Friday at 7:15 p.m., discover the compositions created as part of the Montreux Songwriting Camp during a public listening session at the MJF Residency. Organised by SUISA, Pro Helvetia and MJAF, this initiative offers musicians and composers the opportunity to perfect their songwriting skills and compose songs together that are likely to appeal to a wide audience.
