Le Journal

The thirty-seventh Jazz in Marciac opens its doors on Monday 28 July and waves a fond goodbye to its last disconsolate fans on 15 August. While it’s impossible to give a comprehensive review of all the fun that’s in store, we can highlight a few acts that promise to deliver a real treat. The event gets off to a flying start with the flamboyant Lucky Peterson. Hot on his heels is Jeff Beck, hailed by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, who is making a very welcome Marciac debut. The next day, 29 July, is another historic first for the festival, featuring not one but two legendary duos: Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke. Speaking of history, Didier Lockwood goes back a loooong way. He’ll be celebrating his forty-year career on Saturday 2 August, in the company of the Orchestre du Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Toulouse, with Manu Katché on drums. Wynton Marsalis and Richard Galliano will also be marking a kind of anniversary, paying homage to Edith Piaf and Billie Holliday in a long-awaited reprise of their 2008 concert and album. If you missed it last time, now’s your chance. Another must-see: the much-loved Buena Vista Social Club, dropping by as part of their Adios Tour. Speaking of hot tropical rhythms, Maraca & his Latin Jazz All Stars 2014 will be pounding them out on the night of 4 August, as will Roberto Fonseca and Fatoumata Diawara. Eight days later the temperature will be sky high, thanks to blasts of Jamaican sunshine from Jimmy Cliff and pianist Monty Alexander. Other hot highlights include return appearances by Jamie Cullum, who did one of his very first performances here; Thomas Dutronc and Biréli Lagrène ; Gregory Porter; and Tigran Hamasyan. The programme also features exceptional female voices like Dee Dee Bridgewater, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Y oun Sun Nah, and Eliane Elias. On Tuesday 5 August Nicholas Payton pays homage to Miles Davis with his version of Sketches of Spain, performed by eighteen musicians. This is followed by an appearance from Ahmad Jamal, regarded by Davis, “the Prince of Darkness,” as one of the world’s greatest pianists.