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Autumn of Music: Thank you!

Concerts by emerging Swiss talent, Montreux Jazz Academy, workshops, music listening sessions and jam sessions set the rhythm for Autumn of Music. This week of free musical events, under the direction of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation, was rich in emotion. The Artists and the public alike were numerous to express their pleasure of experiencing music together once more.

The enchanting setting of the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace provided the perfect environment for precious moments of exchange and complicity. In the heart of spaces ideal for listening and creating, time seemed almost suspended and the pleasure of getting together was obvious. More than ever in this particular period, the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation was eager to carry out its initiatives to support new talent, encourage the development of their careers and foster creativity and share their music.

“It was very special. I don’t know any other festivals in the world which has created an academy of music to support young artists. I felt honored to be a part of it.”

John McLaughlin

From Wednesday to Friday, the Swiss Talent Spotlight concerts allowed visitors to immerse themselves in the multiple and singular universes of musicians Julia HeartGaspard Sommer, Dino BrandaoPrune Carmen DiazKush K and Adriano Koch

On Saturday evening, the two closing concerts of the Academy were sold out. The compositions of the five guest musicians – Afra KaneAndrew Neil HayesArthur HnatekJules Martinet and Mareille Merck – were presented on stage in a rearranged form with rich harmonies and dialogue. The week of intense work was under the musical direction of Michael LeagueBill Laurance and Justin Stanton of the New York collective Snarky Puppy. Alongside them in rehearsal and on stage were the caring and supportive mentors John McLaughlin and Anne Paceo with her contagious energy.

“I’ve never had a week so intense! I’m so grateful I had the chance to be completely immerged in music. I was super inspired by these musical legends.”

Afra Kane

These 6 days of musical effervescence will have allowed us to relive the hushed ballet of the stage technicians, the energy of many professional trades and to feel this desire to create moments of conviviality with, as always, music in the foreground.

A beautiful autumn to all!