Boulevard Baudouin, in Juan-les-Pins, takes on the appearance of a Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ten new prints were placed in the asphalt of the avenue which runs alongside the pine forest. Those of Thomas Dutronc join those which immortalize the passage of the artists of the jazz festival.
Published
Reading time: 2 min
:quality(50)/2024/06/22/67156123-2379157535499581-1719585110090579968-n-6676b55343dd9630970833.jpg)
This summer, if you walk along Baudoin Boulevard in Juan-les-Pins dotted with famous handprints, you will have the feeling of being on Hollywood Boulevard. It’s the Walk of Fame of the Côte d’Azur! As in Los Angeles, this sidewalk which runs along the pine forest where the Jazz à Juan concerts take place is dotted with the footprints of music stars. Those who, for years, have forged strong links with this sixty-year-old Jazz Festival.
Every year, around ten people enter this very exclusive club. The latest is Thomas Dutronc, the son of Françoise Hardy who recently disappeared. The musician whose latest opus is titled It’s never too late, has in fact often occupied the stage of the pine forest, or shared it with his guitarist friends. It is he who signs the 76th imprint. A choice that is not the result of chance. “There is a selection, not all the artists who come to the Festival immediately benefit from the imprint, you still have to have a shared historical link with the festival”, explains Philippe Baute, the Director of the Jazz à Juan festival.
Through these imprints, emblematic jazz figures who have marked the festival scene for 60 years are celebrated. Next to each print there is the artist’s signature. It has become a tradition. We can thus follow in the footsteps of Dee Dee Bridgwater, Richard Galliano or Al Jarreau to name just a few. This year, among the ten newcomers, alongside Thomas Dutronc, big names like Nile Rodgers, Rhoda Scott, Brandford Marsalis or the legendary Franco-Beninese Angelique Kidjo.
A sacred jazz monster is also included on the roll of honor: the American pianist Herbie Hancock. To date, Baudoin Boulevard has the footprints of 76 artists. “At the very beginning there were a few, today it is at least 500 meters long that we can rub shoulders with the footprints of these artists. Obviously jazz lovers find themselves there, recognize them and take pleasure but beyond these, it is also to introduce those who do not know them”, continues Philippe Baute.
The 68th edition of Jazz à Juan will take place from July 8 to 18. This year, Manu Katché, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Toto, Selah Sue, Sofiane Pamart, Kool and the Gang, Youssou N’Dour and Marcus Miller are on the program for this festival, eagerly awaited by jazz lovers from around the world. Perhaps they will be the ones who will be called upon to leave their footprints on the boulevard to engrave their legend.
Jazz à Juan, from July 8 to 18, 2024