If the pandemic doesn’t force the cancellation this year, the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival will take place for the 54th time this summer. One of the biggest music festivals in the world, Montreux attracts a wide range of artists to its location in Switzerland. You can check out some of the best performances from this festival as they have just released over 50 videos on Stingray Qello and they are also providing 30 days of free viewing.
Who will you be able to see?
Nina Simone from 1976. The insanely talented and ever-mercurial Simone was one of the best. The chance to see her perform, particularly with songs like Little Girl Blue and I Wish I Knew, is one not to miss.
Etta James in a concert from 1993. If you never got to see James, you missed out. I saw her late in her career. Her weight had gotten to the point where she sat the entire concert. But that didn’t stop her from being both electrifying and overtly sexual. And that voice. Wow!
Quincy Jones and Friends from 1996. The friends include Patti Austin, Patrice Rushen, Mick Hucknall (remember Simply Red?), Toots Thielman and Phil Collins. This concert runs slightly over 2 hours.
Ray Charles in a jam-packed 72-minute set that showcases 16 songs including What I Say, Georgia on My Mind and I Can’t Stop Loving You.
There are concerts by Michael Bublé, Al DiMeola, Carlos Santana (alone and a second concert with John McLoughlin) and other artists not in the jazz world like Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, James Brown, Alanis Morissette and more.
That should keep you entertained for quite some time. Enjoy!
Photo of Montreux Jazz Festival by Olivier Bruchez (Courtesy of the Artist and cropped to 16×9)