Innovative meets legendary: Festival Director Mathieu Jaton (41) on the 50th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival, the legacy of Claude Nobs and the new smartphone app.
Mathieu Jaton has been working for the Montreux Jazz Festival since 1999; this year marks his fourth year as director. He sees the fiftieth edition not only as a retrospective, but also gives room to innovation: old acquaintances meet young talents. In this way, Jaton wants to preserve the legacy of festival founder "Funky" Claude Nobs, who died in 2013, and keep the spirit of Montreux alive.
Mr. Jaton, the festival starts in a few days. Are you nervous?
Mathieu Jaton: It's not nervousness or stress, but rather enthusiasm and joy.
You have been working for the Montreux Jazz Festival for 17 years and this year is your fourth time as director. Has directing already become routine?
I don't know what routine is. We have to reinvent ourselves every time. The fiftieth edition in particular can't be routine, we have all kinds of plans.
That makes me curious. Which three events are you most looking forward to?
Firstly, there's a project with Quincy Jones, a great friend of Montreux. He's bringing something new, bringing together young talent and established stars. Pepe Lienhard will also be there.
Secondly?
The Brazilian Night on July 10 - an event associated with Latino music in Montreux. Claude Nobs started this in the early 1970s. That's why it was important to have a Brazilian night in the anniversary year.
And thirdly?
What I'm looking forward to even more is Woodkid's project on July 15. The French producer, artist and designer designed our poster back in 2014 and brought Lana Del Rey to the festival in 2012 - we've been friends for a long time. I actually only invited him as a guest this year, but also wrote: "If you want to do something, do it!" He spontaneously offered us a whole production with around fifty musicians, with the Sinfonietta orchestra from Lausanne. There will also be sophisticated projections, without a big screen or LED screen. We won't reveal any more yet.
Sounds innovative and futuristic. As director, do you primarily want to bring something new or preserve the legacy of Claude Nobs?
Both. After fifty years, we can also draw on a great legacy. For example, Deep Purple and Frank Zappa's son Dweezil will be performing on the last day of the concert this year. It's all about the story of the casino fire in 1971 during Frank Zappa's concert.
As is well known, the Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water" tells the story.
Exactly. That's part of the Montreux story, and we want to bring together the old and the new. Just like the evening with Patti Smith and PJ Harvey - music stars from two generations. Two artists who respect each other.
Do the old friends like to perform with the younger ones?
That's what jazz is all about! Jazz is generous and not an ego trip. This is also made clear in the book that is being published for our 50th anniversary: 60 artists and well-known personalities tell their Montreux story. All the musicians say that their music was influenced by someone. At the top of their game, they are ready to pass this on. What we do with our program is born out of that spirit.
Do you sometimes speak with the spirit of Claude Nobs?
I often think of Claude. However, I never think: "What would Claude do now?" I also know that he would sometimes decide differently - but then I also know why.
Is it difficult to preserve Claude Nobs' legacy?
The music business has changed a lot in recent years. There are new festivals that have a lot of money and can therefore secure the big acts that book what's top of the bill. Claude called this the "shopping list". We're not interested in that. The stars then play their slot and have to leave again to make room for the next one.
What is of interest to Montreux?
We in Montreux want to be a platform where the magic can happen at any time. We give the artists freedom and take more care of them. John McLaughlin, for example, says in the book that Montreux is his home. He comes here every year, even when he's not playing. Because it's the only place where he can see his friends. It's good to hear something like that. When you manage to get stars to come to the festival and spend their vacations here! There are several who do.
"Some stars spend their vacations with us"
So you take more care of the artists than other organizers?
Yes, that's the case. We travel around the world and meet the artists backstage. That's no longer common today. Many only talk to their agents. But we know and meet everyone personally, we know what they like - and what they don't like. And in addition to a platform, we offer freedom and encounters.
What will the Montreux Jazz Festival look like in five years' time?
It will remain on the side path and never tread the middle ground. Rather, we will push further and further towards our own DNA and not chase after big shows and acts. We'll stick to closeness and intimacy. Montreux is the vinyl of festivals - like a record: you want to touch and experience it.
Digital technology is still an issue - you are launching an app.
It's called "Cuts". I'm convinced it will revolutionize the music industry. We are creating an alternative to shaky cell phone films. Anyone who has the app on their smartphone will be recognized electronically in the concert venue and can access clips of our professional live recordings in top quality and share them with friends via email and social media.
How long will you remain a director?
As long as I have the passion in me. If I were to lose my passion one day and carry on anyway, that wouldn't be fair to the festival.
Montreux for the 50th:16 daysFull program
