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About Montreux Jazz Festival

The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place for two weeks every summer in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Created in 1967 by Claude Nobs and directed by Mathieu Jaton since 2013, the Montreux Jazz Festival has become over the years an essential event, generating fantastic stories and legendary performances.

Nearly 250,000 spectators come to the Festival every year, enjoying a breathtaking setting, concerts with renowned acoustics and many free stages.

With its ambitious programming choices, musical diversity and warm welcome, the Montreux Jazz Festival offers a privileged experience to musicians and the public.

“You can’t describe it, words don’t do it justice. You just have to come and experience it.”

Quincy Jones

MUSIC LIKE NOWHERE ELSE

In Montreux, the artists are up close and personal with their fans, which encourages deeply memorable, and even legendary, moments. Here, music is experienced in a truly unique fashion, further enhanced by exceptional comfort and acoustics.

The Montreux Jazz Festival, a platform for creative freedom and encounters, is a one-of-a-kind playground for the artists. Some of them completely re-think their concerts just for Montreux, while others shine at the Festival’s legendary jam sessions and offer fascinating workshops.

“Montreux Jazz is for people who really love music. It starts with that, everything else is secondary. Which is rare nowadays.”

Jack White
Janelle Monáe joined the legendary jam sessions of the Festival after her concert in 2019.
© Lionel Flusin

THEY ALL CAME TO MONTREUX

In its 50 years history, Montreux has hosted iconic performances by artists including Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Elton John and Stevie Wonder. Deep Purple and Prince even helped to write the legend of the place in their songs, while David Bowie and Freddie Mercury came to live in the region and record albums.

“Montreux Jazz is the original prestige festival. If they invite you here, it is your duty and an honor to come and perform.”

Questlove

FROM BE-BOP TO HIP-HOP

While jazz, soul and blues are at the roots of this event, other styles of music quickly found their place, anchored by artistic encounters and unique experiments. In recent years, Muse, Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, Adele, Lady Gaga, Tyler The Creator, Lizzo, Rita Ora and many more played in Montreux and honored the legends who have played here before them.

WHO PLAYED WHEN?

Explore our concert database, which features information on every performance since 1967.

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FESTIVAL TIMELINE

Discover the stories that have forged the legend of the Montreux Jazz Festival.

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Elton John square
Elton John in 2019
© Lionel Flusin

THE FREE SIDE OF THE FESTIVAL

Pool parties, silent discos, open air concerts, jam sessions, workshops and all-night electro events : each year, the Festival showcases 250 free concerts, DJ sets and activities, from noon to 5am!

KEY NUMBERS

  • 250,000 festival-goers
  • 16 days of Festival
  • 380 concerts, 250 of which are free
  • 11 stages, 6 of which are free
  • 55 bars and stands
THE FESTIVAL STAGES

Learn everything about the Auditorium Stravinski, Montreux Jazz Club, Montreux Jazz Lab and the free stages.

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F&B OFFER

More than 55 food stalls and bars await you along the lakefront.

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MITP
Music in the Park
© Emilien Itim

THE FESTIVAL UNIVERSE

The Montreux Jazz Festival is organised by the Montreux Jazz Festival Foundation, owner of the Montreux Jazz Festival brand. It has been directed since 2013 by Mathieu Jaton.

Montreux Jazz festival Foundation

The FFJM organises the Montreux Jazz Festival every year.

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Montreux jazz artists Foundation

MJAF is a state approved foundation that supports new talent and music outreach

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Logo Monreux Media Ventures
montreux media ventures

MMV brings the Festival to life year-round by producing high quality content

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Montreux jazz café

The MJC restaurants are the embassies of the Festival in the world.

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CLAUDE NOBS FOUNDATION

The CNF’s mission is to preserve and valorize the Festival’s archive.

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50 YEARS OF MUSIC DIGITIZED

From the very beginning, the Festival’s founder Claude Nobs has recorded all its concerts using the latest technologies. Under the guidance of the Claude Nobs Foundation, this unique collection of audiovisual archives has been recognized by UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Through a partnership with EPFL, the archives, including more than 11’000 hours of live music, have been entirely preserved and digitalized since 2017.

“This archive is the most important testimonial to the history of music, covering jazz, blues and rock.”

Quincy Jones
Ella Fitzgerald, 1969
© François Jacquenod

THE FESTIVAL POSTERS

Since 1967, the Festival has given Swiss and international artists carte blanche to create its official poster. In 1982, Jean Tinguely left his indelible impression, which became the highly recognizable logo. Keith Haring created a triptych of posters for the Festival in 1983, then created another with Andy Warhol in 1986.

Niki De Saint Phalle, David Bowie, Max Bill, and Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid) have each contributed to the Festival’s visual panoply.

ALL FESTIVAL POSTERS

Discover the posters of each edition of the Festival, from 1967 to the present day.

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MONTREUX JAZZ SHOP

Purchase your favourite posters, vinyls and other Festival products.

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Keith Haring, 1983

RIO,TOKYO, SUZHOU: THE FESTIVAL AROUND THE WORLD

For over fifty years, the Montreux Jazz Festival has been bringing its unique know-how and ambiance to different cities in the world. São Paulo, Detroit, Atlanta, Singapore, Monaco and now Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Suzhou have all hosted one or more editions of the Montreux Jazz Festival.

MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL JAPAN

The Festival has been exported to Tokyo for more than 10 years.

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MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL RIO

Since 2019, Rio de Janeiro hosts its own Montreux Jazz Festival in June.

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Montreux jazz festival china

New licence in Suzhou

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Steve Vai at Montreux Jazz Festival Rio 2019
© Marcos Hermes

montreux jazz shop

  • Guitars

    To all guitarists and MJF fans out there: this new limited series is made for you!

    Guitares
  • Glass Bottle

    Borosilicate glass (laboratory glass), which is approx. 50 percent lighter, more heat-resistant, suitable for cold and hot drinks

    Bouteille verre

JOIN THE FAMILY

Discover the Festival from the Inside! Montreux Jazz Insider brings together die-hard fans of the Montreux Jazz Festival and provides you access to exclusive advantages.

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