Jazz à Juan has long been one of the best - and the best loved - annual jazz festivals in the world. All the greats have played the event, including Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, Dave Brubeck, Fats Waller, George Benson, Oscar Peterson, Pat Metheny, Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, Stéphane Grappelli, Stevie Wonder and Wynton Marsalis.
The vast majority have left their handprints in the ceramic tiles dotting the sidewalk of the Boulevard Edouard Baudoin, which runs behind the seaside stage. The stage itself is centred on La Pinède, an umbrella pine grove in the heart of Juan-les-Pins; which serves as a green lung for the town and features a children’s playground, a merry-go-round, sculptures and benches for sitting in the sunshine or shade.
The 63rd edition - 2024
The 63rd edition of "Jazz à Juan" will run from 8-18 July 2024. Joshua Redmond, Marcus Miller, and Chris Potter are the headliners. For Miller, it will be his 15th appearance at the festival and he appears on the same night as Redmond (who will be joined by vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa who features on his latest release):
An Afro Caribbean night has been programmed on 11/07 with Cuban outfit El Comité and bassist Avashi Cohen’s project 'Banda Iroko'. And there's also the traditional funk night on 16/07 with rising stars Scary Pockets and the legendary Kool & the Gang. Here's hoping they do 'Summer Madness' (as it has been on their recent setlists and is perfect for this audience, as track which was 30 years ahead of its time). Last but not least, global music superstar Youssou N’Dour also is also appearing (on 10/07).
The traditional French National Day free concert this year squeezes-in four acts, including a Japanese pianist, a Chinese trumpeter, a French vocal group and an all female New Orleans brass band before the firework display. There is also the regular New Orleans-style Marching Bands which play up and down the adjoining streets and the hour-long (free) Jam Sessions which follow the main acts and feature emerging bands who have won through to participate at the Jammin’ Juan Jazz Market (which takes place the previous November).
Check out the vibe
Why not check out this great video from the 2023 event, with Nile Rogers & Chic doing "Lose yourself to Dance":
How to Get there
By train: you have a choice of the Antibes station (on the SNCF-TGV fast line from Marseille to Ventimiglia) and the Juan-les-Pins and Biot train stations (only local TER trains). Buy your tickets in advance for reduced hassle. Timetables here.
By car: exit the A8 autoroute at "la Provençale" (exit 44), then take the RD 6007 followed by the RD 6098 to the centre. A full list of car parks is here.
By bus: The local bus network is run by Envibus who provides services in Antibes as well as the surrounding communes, including Juan-les-Pins, Biot, Châteauneuf, Gourdon, Vallauris Golfe-Juan and Villeneuve-Loubet. Most services run every 15 to 30 minutes and you can download the timetable at the Envibus website:
Bus 2 - Antibes - Plage du Ponteil - Phare du Cap - Eden Roc
Bus 10 - Antibes - Biot Gare SNCF - Marineland - Biot village - Valbonne
Bus 14 - Fort Carre - Port Vauban - Plage du Ponteil - Port de la Salis
Bus 15 - Juan les Pins Gare SNCF circular
Bus 23 - Antibes - Biot Station - Villeneuve-Loubet Marina - La Colle sur Loup
Resources
The official website for the Jazz à Juan Festival
The Antibes / Juan-les-Pins Tourist Office website
Accommodation
With panoramic views, private infinity pool, super-fast Broadband / WiFi and modern air-conditioning, Haute Vue is a Pet friendly holiday villa in Montauroux; perfectly positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is the perfect central base for a holiday in the South of France; close to the beautiful perched villages of Provence and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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