Between Albi and jazz, a love story is reborn. Already, from 1982 to 1989, the episcopal city had had its festival. Thirty-one years later, in 2020, the musical genre returned to center stage with the Albi Jazz Festival. This first edition, sponsored by André Manoukian, was a success with nearly 10,000 spectators. But epidemic forces, the 2021 edition has been canceled.
It is therefore the second edition which began on January 15 with the same original DNA: on the one hand an In with six major concerts (including four in Albi) and on the other an Off which takes place under a marquee (a Magic Mirrors installed Place des Cordeliers) accessible free of charge every evening from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
But no question of waiting for the evening to savor a slice of jazz! Impromptus are offered during the day in the form of mini-concerts in “offbeat” places, like this double bass/transverse flute duo who took turns at the hairdresser’s, in the middle of the covered market, in an optical store and a restaurant. A way to open jazz to as many people as possible.
Opened on January 15 with Electro Deluxe and Rubberfans, the festival continues until January 23 with four big concerts with an enticing program. On Thursday January 20, the festival’s sponsor, André Manoukain, will be on the stage of the Grand Théâtre with the Balkan quartet, four women who mix their Bulgarian voices with the duduk (Armenian flute), tablas (percussion musical instruments of the North India) and jazz.
The next day, place for the Toulouse trumpeter Nicolas Gardel who has traveled the planet alongside the greatest: Yuri Buenaventura, Laurent Mignard, Zebda, the Tuxedo Big Band… After two albums, the musician created his Big band, The Headbangers ( “Those who shake their heads”) where jazz, funk, electro and rock mix.
Another great orchestra, the Multiquarium Big Band, a formation of eighteen musicians nominated for the Victoires du jazz 2021, which will surround the famous guitarist Biréli Lagrène for a tribute to Jaco Pastorius (1951-1987). Several years ago, Lagrène shared the stage and several albums with the man who is considered the greatest jazz-rock bassist of all time.
To close the second edition of this festival on January 23, two groups will share the stage of the Grand Théâtre: Yélé, an atypical trio with original instrumentation (didgeridoo, not’goni, calabash, flute and guitar), for a music that transports from the Australian bush to the Mississippi. Then the Dal Sasso BigBand (founded by one of the most brilliant French arrangers, the composer of Christophe Dal Sasso) will revisit L‘album Africa/Brass by jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane, one made in 1961 and which marked a turning point in the career of the famous musician.
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Albi Jazz Festival, until January 23. Prices for concerts at the Grand Théâtre: SNA card €18/14, normal €30, reduced €25 and under 12s €10