International Jazz Day

30th April was a special day. Not only because the Queen of the Netherlands renounced the throne after 33 years, but also because it was International Jazz Day. Since November 2011 the last day of April is designated by UNESCO as an international jazz event. In a lot of countries, in a lot of cities, several events are organized to celebrate this kind of music. The purpose is to bring people together, to get in contact, to be surprised by the music and the company. This year Istanbul was the Global Host City, but also Lyon had a big programme.

Jam sessions, concerts and ateliers. In Bibliothèque Municipale Lyon Part-Dieu, Fondation Bullukian, Fort en Jazz, L'Epicerie Moderne, La Clef de Voûte, Le Baryton Bar Jazz, Le Comoedia, Le Périscope, etc. From 10 in the morning till 2 in the night, all over the city jazz events took place. Big names and small names were announced.

I visited a jam session in La Clef de Voûte (1e). The small cave was filled with people, young and old. In different sets, lyonnais jazz musicians surprised us. I’m fond of jam sessions because it shows clearly the way musicians communicate. There is no big plan, so they have to work together, they have to communicate while they play. Besides, a jam gives all the instruments a moment to show themselves. The sax, the drums, the bass, the piano: everyone has a solo.

Sad that you missed this day? Every Saturday between 16.30 and 19.00, there is a free jam session in Hot Club de Lyon (http://www.hotclubdelyon.org/). A lot of musicians at La Clef play here every Saturday.

And more Jazz? Jazz à Vienne of course: http://www.jazzavienne.com/fr/

Louise Roodbol