40th Montreux Jazz Festival

This is the last week of the 40th Montreux Jazz Festival. It runs through Saturday July 15th.

This has got to be the world's most famous and longest running international music festival. I'm not an expert, but I know what I like. Just reading through this year's roster of artists makes my heart beat faster. Can you imagine two weeks of your life dedicated to the greatest musicians, bands and artists in the world? You can hear practically any style of music at MJF, not just jazz. Just take a look at the artist lineup and you'll see what I mean!

Here's a partial listing of featured artists
(because I'm partial to these guys!)

Al Jarreau
B.B. King
Ben E. King
Bob James
Bryan Adams
Chaka Khan
Chic & Nile Rodgers
Chick Corea
David Sanborn
Deep Purple - July 15 @ Stravinski Hall
Deftones
Donovan
George Duke
Gladys Knight
Herbie Hancock
Iggy Pop & Stooges
Jack DeJohnette
Joe Sample
Larry Carlton
Les McCann
Marcus Miller
Nathan East
Randy Crawford
Randy Newman
Robert Plant
Santana
Sergio Mendes (for the first time!)
Simply Red
Stanley Clarke
Steve Winwood
Stevie Nicks
Sting - July 11
Taj Mahal
The Neville Brothers
Tower of Power
Tracy Chapman
Van Morrison

Ahmet & Nesuhi Ertegun of Atlantic Records were recognized at this year's festival for their outstanding efforts both in the music industry and with the festival.

Ahmet Ertegun founded Atlantic Records in 1947, and has signed, produced and worked with such notable artists as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket, Roberta Flack, The Rolling Stones, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Vanilla Fudge, Eric Clapton, Bad Company,The Allman Brothers, Emerson Lake and Palmer and Iron Butterfly.

Ahmet was honored June 30th with a star studded concert, featuring many of the artists he has worked with over the years. Bette Midler and Jeff Beck were scheduled to interpret the song "Fever," but Midler had film commitments in Hollywood. Jimmy Page had surgery and was not able to appear. Stevie Nicks, Steve Winwood and Chaka Khan also joined the all-star tribute at the last minute.

Nesuhi Ertegun was recognized as a jazz leader at Atlantic Records, and a major force behind the Montreux Jazz Festival. Since the fifties, Nesuhi has produced and worked with Sergio Mendes, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Charles Mingus, Roberta Flack, Yusef Lateef, Herbie Mann and Charles Lloyd.

He also helped the Montreux Jazz Festival premiere Roberta Flack and Aretha Franklin for Europe. Nesuhi has supported the festival from the beginning until his death in 1989. His tribute concert on July 2nd featured keyboardists Geroge Duke and Joe Sample with Randy Crawford, Ornette Coleman, Sergio Mendes and the New Orleans All Stars.

Gibson also sponsored a guitar competition with first prize going to Jake Hertzog of Illinois. He won a 1957 goldtop Les Paul from the Gibson Custom Shop. There is video on the site of Jake playing at the famous MJF blues jam.


Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, Montreux Jazz Festival, CybersMusic