The longest-running of all the European jazz festivals, Jazz à Juan (as it’s now billed) has established itself over the decades as a legendary event where jazz memories are born but above all where jazz thrives and still lives on!
Such has been its success that it has spawned a number of other similar festivals throughout Europe. The late Claude Nobs, creator of the Montreux Festival, affectionately said: ‘If I hadn’t stopped by Antibes, Montreux would never have happened!’ Praise, indeed!
The festival embraces every jazz style you can possibly think of from swing through soul to rock.
Such revolutionary and revered figures as Charlie Mingus came in the early years armed with the baptismal foundations of free jazz while that genius named Ray Charles made his European début here and John Coltrane hit the jackpot with his mythical interpretation of ‘Love Supreme’ in 1965. And when Miles Davis graced the Pinède it created an ‘event’ in itself while Satchmo was the ‘event’!
Pinède Gould, the Pine Grove, named after American businessman, Frank Jay Gould, a good friend of Charlie Chaplin.
The Pinède is set in an enviable position gracefully overlooking the Mediterranean with the backdrop of Cannes adding greatly to the overall flavour and atmosphere of the environment. And in contrast to the hubbub of 24-hour living in Juan you’ll find the old town of Antibes - neatly divided by Cap d’Antibes - provides a peaceful and serene alternative.
Juan is home to a street full of jazz hands!