Montreux Jazz Festival 2019: Once you've been, you'll be back

It is fair to say that the Montreux Jazz Festival is the most exciting of all Swiss festivals. Every year, the most charismatic exponents of the modern music world come together here - and give rise to something completely new. Surprises are also inevitable at the 53rd edition.

The legacy of "Funky" Claude Nobs (1936-2013) lives on at the 53rd edition. The enterprising festival director knew like no other how to unite the most charismatic representatives of jazz, rock and pop into an exciting, experimental whole. The festival remains true to this concept. For many artists, the Montreux Jazz Festival is not a place where they simply reel off their repertoire. They often arrive earlier than they have to - and then like to stay a little longer. Whether in Claude's chalet at the top of the mountain - which for them is a place of remembrance and encounter - or in the festival grounds: for established music legends, Montreux is a place where surprise, not routine, reigns supreme.

RAG'N'BONE MAN: The likeable "Human" singer made his big breakthrough with his<br />performance in 2016 - after canceling at short notice in<br />last year, he can now finally be seen on the big stage.

Sting, for example, knows this. The British pop star has already been a guest in Montreux six times since 1990. In 1990, he performed on three evenings, in 1991 only in a quartet, as well as in 2006. Also in 2011 and then in 2013, where he played with a full orchestra. What the "Englishman" has planned for Montreux this time has not yet been revealed.

More is known about Elton John. He is visiting Montreux as part of his big farewell tour - tickets for his concert on June 29 went on sale last year and triggered huge demand. That is why he is now not playing at the Stravinski, but at the Stade de la
Saussaz, which seats 15,000 spectators.

Rag'n'Bone Man was actually already on the program last year - but he had to cancel at short notice due to severe bronchitis. The bearded Brit, whose real name is Rory Graham, was at the festival for the first time in 2016 - back then still on a small stage and as a new discovery with a hit that simultaneously hit the world: "Human" made him a star worldwide. He has many fond memories of Montreux and is looking forward to returning to play at the Auditorium Stravinski on Saturday, July 6.

JOAN BAEZ: In Montreux, the American folk singer and activist bids farewell to her Swiss fans after a musical career spanning more than 50 years. The New Yorker has been a guest on Lake Geneva a total of five times.

Joan Baez is another legend saying goodbye. With her cover versions of songs such as "Donna Donna" or "Farewell Angelina" and her bright soprano, the New Yorker became one of the leading figures of the singer-songwriter scene in the 1960s. Joan Baez continues to credibly represent the ideals of non-violence as well as civil and human rights. After a career spanning more than 50 years, the 78-year-old is now bidding farewell to her fans with a major tour. For the fifth and final time in Montreux, the singer will also bid farewell to Lake Geneva on July 3. Stars are made in Montreux - the road to fame is sometimes fast and surprising.

CHILLY GONZALES: Virtuoso pianist, gifted entertainer and huge Montreux fan: in 2017, a select few enjoyed a private concert in the chalet of festival founder Claude Nobs.

Tom Jones knows that too. He used to be a vacuum cleaner salesman. At the beginning of the sixties, the Brit sang in a band on the side: unsuccessfully. It was only when "Tiger Tom" toured solo that he landed his first number 1 hit with "It's Not Unusual". He is best known to older generations for pop songs such as "Delilah" and to younger fans for the soul hit "Sex Bomb". He is also an enthusiastic returnee - after all, he was only in Montreux in 2017. On July 9 at the Stravinski.

Insiders who have already seen him here in 2017 are looking forward to Chilly Gonzales. He recently told "Zeit Magazin": "Before a performance, you have to prepare yourself, be disciplined. But as soon as you go on stage, you have to throw everything overboard and be an irreverent animal." The pianist, whose performances have a high entertainment value, will be playing at the club on July 1 and 2. Highly recommended!

Montreux Jazz Festival
28.06.2019 - 13.07.2019, Montreux
TICKETS