Make way for the legendary Earth Wind & Fire! just one of the bands in the outstanding line-up at this years Nice Jazz Festival.

The 8 times Grammy Award winners famous for their American funk pop and eye popping kaleidoscope costumes are headlining on the first night. Best known for their hits of the 1970’s, September, After the love has Gone, Fantasy, and Reasons, Earth Wind & Fire introduced a new brand of pop steeped in African and African-American styles that landed them a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

This is one of our favorite nights of the year. The outdoor jazz spectacular takes place every July in the atmospheric gardens of Le Parc des Arénes de Cimiez. There are several concert stages featuring high quality jazz as well as funk and soul and pop bands, as well as food stalls cooking up fresh tasty local and international food and serving wine and champagne. It’s a chilled out affair and families are welcome. Wonder from stage to stage and dip in and out of upto 10 artists playing over the evening. Our tip is to turn up in good time with a rumbling belly and your music head on and enjoy the incredible ambience of listening to great music from the worlds finest musicians on a balmy summer night.

The Nice Jazz festival started in 1948 and is regarded as one of Europe’s major jazz events. This is the place where legends such as Miles Davis, BB King, Dizzy Gillespie have blessed the stages with their presence. As well as many contemporary bands such as Jamiroquai, Ericka Badhu and Tracey Chapman who wowed the audience in 2009.

We were seen shamelessly screaming to the charismatic George Benson raising the proverbial roof in 2008 and afterwards buying the t-shirt which has been a festival staple since. I’m hoping this year Earth, Wind & Fire will add a new much needed garment to my wardrobe.

This years line-up is truly sensational and there are grammys oozing out of every pore of many of these jazz, blues and country legends icons. The unique vocal style of Al Jarreau (remember the theme tune from the hit series moonlighting starring a young Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd!), Herbie Hancock, the modern day legend pushing the boundaries of jazz fusion, the all American country guitar playing style of Kris Kristofferson and once dubbed Irelands answer to Amy Winehouse Imelda May are amongst some of the acts playing. With a week of stunning performances awaiting you your only dilemma is which nights to book!

YOUR ESSENTIAL INFO:

Date: 17th to 24th july

Venue: Jardin de Cimiez, Avenue du Monastiere, 06000, Nice Opens: 6pm-midnight

How Much? From 39 E for adults and 9 E for children under 12. Children under 4 years go free. You can book a 1/3 or 8 night pass. The opening night is the most expensive.

Where to Buy tickets? For full line up and to buy tickets on line http://www.nicejazzfestival.fr Book on the website and receive a 2 E discount. Tel: 0033 892 683 622/ 0033 892 392 192 OR buy tickets from the store FNAC, Avenue Jean Medicin, Nice, 06000

Getting there: Bus no 17 or 22 from Rue Giofreddo, Nice. Takes 10 mins. From Cannes or Antibe we would suggest getting the train to Nice and catching the bus or taxi. Please note: it can be difficult getting public transport back from Cimiez but the walk is about 20-30 min down hill.

Posted by Amanda Walker