The MJF Residency opens its doors from October 14 to 17, 2026! Young talents and major figures from the jazz, soul, and R&B scenes will gather at the Petit Palais of the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. On the program: concerts, showcases, workshops, jam sessions, and a DJ set. All activities are free of charge.
Organized for the seventh consecutive year, the autumn festival of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF) is built around a unique artistic residency. For four days, eight emerging bands benefit from an intensive program supervised by renowned mentors. Every evening starting at 6:00 PM, the residency opens its doors to the public with a rich musical, educational, and festive program.
Featuring Fatoumata Diawara, Brian Jackson, Vincen García, Camilla George, Mino Cinelu, Jean Phi Dary, Afra Kane, Lakiko, Amy Gadiaga, and many more!
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 favorite band as part of the Coup de Cœur Prize, courtesy of Julius Baer bank.
- Wednesday, October 14: Hetta Falzon, a British singer with a delicate voice, bridging classical training with jazz-pop songwriting, and Bella Nobre, a Brazilian singer based in the Lake Geneva region who draws on R&B and Brazilian Tropicália.
- Thursday, October 15: Samson Philipps, a drum-and-keyboard duo from Zurich with dense, cinematic sounds blending contemporary jazz, drum’n’bass, and jungle, and Talking Rocks, a Turkish trio led by producer Alptug Chavez, blending Anatolian psychedelia, electronic music, and rock.
- Friday, October 16: Migi & Rubén, a Zurich-based duo with irresistible funk grooves and rapped or sung lyrics in Swiss German, and Il Mago Del Gelato, a Milanese quartet that invites listeners on a journey between jazz-funk, afrobeat, and a 1960s Italian film atmosphere.
- Saturday, October 17: Shanga, a Bernese singer born to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother, crafting pop-soul with Afro, jazz, and hip-hop nuances, and DVYN, a Nigerian-Canadian singer blending contemporary songwriting with timeless R&B, soul, and jazz arrangements.
WORKSHOPS
A must-attend feature of the Residency, the workshops allow artists to share their knowledge and express themselves-often through music-on a topic of their choice.
- Wednesday, October 14: Brian Jackson (US): Jazz, The Rhythm of Resistance
The New York keyboardist and flutist laid the foundations of conscious soul alongside Gil Scott-Heron in the 1970s, and has been sampled by the biggest names in hip-hop from Tupac to Kendrick Lamar. - Thursday, October 15: Fatoumata Diawara (CI) & Jean Phi Dary (GF/FR): Voice & Keys
This workshop brings together a unique duo: singer and guitarist Fatoumata Diawara, a major artist of the Malian scene who has performed at the MJF multiple times, and French keyboardist of Guyanese descent Jean Phi Dary, a collaborator of Tony Allen and Jeff Mills. - Friday, October 16: Camilla George (NG/UK) & Mino Cinelu (MQ/FR): Sax & Percussion Franco-Martinican percussionist Mino Cinelu has played alongside legends from Miles Davis and Sting to Kate Bush and Stevie Wonder. Anglo-Nigerian saxophonist Camilla George, a leading figure on the London scene, has collaborated with Shabaka Hutchings, Nubya Garcia, and Soweto Kinch.
- Saturday, October 17: Vincen García (ES): Groove Mechanics: Slap & Ghost
One of the most streamed bassists in the world, Vincen García has toured with Cory Wong and Jesús Molina, among others. The Spanish musician performed with his own jazz-funk band at the MJF in 2024.
SHOWCASES
These intimate small-formation performances (solo or duo) take place in the cozy setting of the Petit Palais Coupole. The showcase programming highlights artists who have received support from the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation:
- Wednesday, October 14: Amy Gadiaga, a French double bassist based between London and Paris, nominated at the MOBO Awards in the “Best Jazz Act” category.
- Thursday, October 15: Kemani Anderson, founding singer of the band Secret Night Gang, inspired by Donny Hathaway and Bobby McFerrin, accompanied by London keyboardist Luke Bacchus, finalist of the BBC Young Jazz Musician 2022.
- Friday, October 16: Lakiko, a cellist with borderless soundscapes blending classical virtuosity and improvisation, performing in a duo with Neuchâtel pianist Laurent Nicoud.
- Saturday, October 17: Afra Kane, an Italian singer and pianist based in Switzerland, moving between classical, gospel, soul, and jazz, winner of the Montreux Jazz Talent Award in 2019.
JAM SESSIONS
Every evening, the jam sessions bring together the residency musicians, supported by a trio composed of Daisy George (bass), Luke Bacchus (keyboard), and Zoe Pascal (drums)—all members of the in-house band for the jam sessions organized by the MJF at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
CLOSING PARTY
On Saturday, starting at midnight, make way for the traditional closing party featuring London-based DJ, radio host, and producer Makeda Krish, renowned for her versatile sets blending jazz, hip-hop, electro, and Sahel music.
ABOUT THE MONTREUX JAZZ ARTISTS FOUNDATION
Recognized as a public-utility organization, the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF) supports up-and-coming talent and fosters exchange through a universal language: music. Founded in 2007, the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation pursues two main objectives: discovering and supporting young talents at the dawn of their careers, and providing access to music for everyone.
Throughout the year, the MJAF sparks powerful discoveries and encounters through its artistic residencies, mediation activities, and talent development programs. These projects are entirely funded by private donations and public subsidies.
