You can’t end the Summer without experiencing one of the biggest events in music in Paris. Jazz à la Villette is a major celebration of Jazz music in Paris and around the world. While staying at the luxurious Hotel Bowmann, how about heading down to Parc de la Villette for a festival of great sounds and vibes keeping the genre of jazz alive and thriving.
What is the Jazz à la Villette?
Ever since starting in 2002, Jazz à la Villette has become a premier jazz festival hosted in Paris every year. The annual jazz festival is a showcase of jazz music from around the world, celebrating the improvised artistic music and the talented artists that create it.
Jazz comes in so many different forms, and with improvisation being a significant aspect of the genre, new styles are being developed with every artist. The festival is a celebration of all styles of the genre – past, present, fusion, experimental, and revolutionary styles that are born right on the stages of the event.
Every year, Jazz à la Villette pays tribute to the history of jazz in Paris, dedicating a segment of the festival to a particular year of jazz or a specific artist. You’ll get an immerse look into the highlight year or artist and its lasting impact on the genre today.
Jazz à la Villette helps continue to push the genre of jazz forward. The festival bridges the gap between jazz history and the modern sounds of the genre that continue to evolve.
Jazz à la Villette Festival Experience
Jazz à la Villette is seen as a festival to help transition from the Summer to the Fall, with a line up of great music and events to close out the season. This year, in 2019, the festival will run from August 29 to September 10. Parc de la Villette is transformed into a musical oasis for the entire duration of the festival, featuring concerts, events, and activities for your enjoyment.
Every year, more than 30,000 people find themselves in Parc de la Villette for Jazz à la Villette. The concerts of the festival are located at the various venues throughout the park. You can find events occurring at the Philharmonie de Paris, Atelier du Plateau, Studio de l’Ermitage, and the historic Grande Halle de la Villette.
Jazz à la Villette showcases top charting artists as well as uprising talent to give a wide range of entertainment for the festival-goers. This year, we can look forward to concerts from acts including Marcus Miller, Kokoroko, Yasiin Bey, Emma-Jean Thackray, and Oumou Sangaré. The festival is open to the public, but some of the concerts require a ticket for entry.
While jazz music is the centerpiece of the festival, several other events and activities are happening at the park during the extent of the festival. Jazz à la Villette also includes several film screenings, exhibitions, master classes, and even kids’ activities and concerts to add to the fun.
From Hotel Bowmann, you can easily reach Parc de la Villette to experience the jazz festival via car or public transportation. In case you can’t make it, all concerts are filmed and archived online so that you can enjoy them at any time!