In Saint-Tropez, Manu Katché invites Erik Truffaz, Thomas Dutronc and Isadora on stage at the Nuits du Château de la Moutte festival

The drummer was given “carte blanche” on Thursday August 1st to accompany artists on stage who revisited their titles in the century-old palm grove in the castle gardens.

It’s an evening of magic, as the Nuits du Château de la Moutte festival knows how to do. Inviting artists from different backgrounds to share a timeless moment in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. It was Manu Katché who made the palm trees in the garden vibrate to the sound of jazz on Thursday, August 1st.

Master of ceremonies, the famous drummer to the stars invited three other artists to join him on stage: trumpeter Erik Truffaz, gypsy jazz guitarist Thomas Dutronc and young Belgian singer, Isadora.

Accompanied by his group, Manu Katché sets the tempo. He who played his drumsticks alongsidethe greatest French-speaking and international artists (Jonasz, Cabrel, Stephan, Sting or Peter Gabriel), appreciates the mix of genres. These new formations allow artists to take a fresh look at their music. “Often an artist who tours with his own songs, with his own band, at a certain point he is in a kind of comfort zone. There, we leave the comfort zone, but there is no risk because we do everything so that he is very comfortable. In this way, he rediscovers the songs with a new sound, it opens his mind in a different way on his own songs that he has done over and over again”, explains the musician.

Tropical weather obliges, Erik Truffaz walks barefoot and succeeds in taking the audience on a journey with his golden trumpet. At 64, the trumpeter who has known the greatest stages, is still carried away by the breath of creation. “My intelligence is not to feel too strong, so I collaborate. With the musicians, we think about the style and how we are going to make it evolve,” he confides.

A little later in the evening, it is the Belgian singer Isadora who lights up the stage. Born into a family of actors, inspired by Chet Baker and Nina Simone, she wanted to express herself through singing. “There was a lot of music in my parents’ shows, I think that’s what nourished my musical imagination, I sang in front of my mirror when I was little”, she smiled.

Gypsy jazz guitarist Thomas Dutronc joined the musicians, bringing one last captivating star to the night.

The rest of the programming of the Nuits du château de Moutte promises even more delightful moments with classical music concerts, but also a show around the Little Prince. Also not to be missed is the recital by pianist Nelson Goerner and a cello on the sand with Gautier Capuçon.

Another great moment to experience with the family, a relaxing evening hosted by Renaud Capuçon, Manon Galy, Paul Zientara, Maxime Quennesson, Lorraine Campet, Guillaume Bellom, Jorge Gonzalez Buajasan, Mathilde Calderini, Joë Christophe and Adélaïde Ferrière. The same Renaud Capuçon will propose a discovery of the music of Brahms. The end of the festival will close in style on August 13 with a lyrical evening under the palm trees.

“The Nights of the Château de la Moutte” Festival until August 13, 2024 in Saint-Tropez