Enhancing emerging talent and the diversity of today's jazz scene

Since its early days, the Festival has invited international emerging musicians to perform on its free stages. The MJAF Nights reflect our philosophy of jazz as a constantly evolving and enriching style with a variety of influences. This programme is in line with the Talent Awards by promoting groups that are representative of today’s jazz and the plural forms it takes and that we claim. Our programming committee associated to a committee composed of artists select groups on the basis of various criteria (musical mastery, quality of the pieces, originality). They are then invited to perform during the Montreux Jazz Festival. In addition to the important springboard that a performance at the MJF represents, the musicians benefit from meetings with music industry professionals in order to obtain advice and constructive feedback. We also give them a professional video of their performance, with 3 songs of their choice. In this way, all artists are supported equally and leave with a useful promotional tool to find new engagements.

MJAF NIGHTS 2025

The Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation Nights 2025 gave pride of place to wind instrument players. We welcomed two up-and-coming American musicians, saxophonist Isaiah Collier and trumpeter Keyon Harrold, both already well known in their native country. They received support from the MJAF in their efforts to make a name for themselves on the European market. 

We also invited two British musicians, trumpeter Yazz Ahmed, originally from Bahrain, and saxophonist Camilla George, originally from Nigeria. Both illustrated how the Western jazz tradition is enriched by cultural heritage to take music beyond its boundaries. 

As part of our collaboration with London’s Southbank Centre, we presented the results of the first ever Southbank X MJF Residency, which brought together two Swiss musicians—NNAVY and Matthieu Llodra—and two British musicians—Daisy George and Zoé Pascal. Together, they presented a new work, “Searching for Nina’s Spirit,” celebrating the great pianist and singer Nina Simone. 

Finally, the American-Indian singer Ganavya captivated the audience with her mystical and spiritual songs, influenced by harikatha, the art of storytelling combining song, music, and narration. Meanwhile, the Madrid trio Gilipojazz performed jazz-punk and funk with a progressive rock feel, the Turkish quartet Telli Davul immersed the audience in 1970s Anatolian folk-rock with disco accents, and guitarist Billal Karaman showed how the heritage of gypsy jazz can be transported into experimental exploration.  

MJAF NIGHTS 2024

The talented bassist and composer from Detroit, Endea Owens, kicked off the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation Nights 2024 series with her sextet, enchanting the audience with her energy and groove.  Another rising star on the jazz scene, this time from France, DAOUD, an atypical trumpeter, beatmaker, and producer, delivered a performance that blended jazz with hip-hop, R&B, and electronic influences.  The Italian-German duo 505 invited the audience to familiarize themselves with their atmospheric universe, which fuses electronic and acoustic instruments.  Talented bassist, singer, and composer Amy Gadiaga, a Parisian based in London, won over the Montreux audience with a repertoire reminiscent of a jazz universe rooted in tradition, yet bringing immense freshness to it.  MONK by Emile Londonien, an original creation led by Nils Boyny, with Keïta Janota and Louis Matute, paid tribute to the atypical pianist and genius composer, Thelonious Monk. Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin gave an impressive performance, demonstrating her stage experience and showmanship.  The four members of the group Oreglo gave a glimpse of what constitutes the London sound, which incorporates jazz, reggae, grim, and drill.  Finally, the Cuban trio Ilù Trio, joined by special guest Shai Maestro, took the audience on a journey from the rhythms of Afro-Cuban rituals to Latin melodies that invite you to dance, all with the melodic sensitivity of the Israeli pianist. 

MJAF NIGHTS 2023

During the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation Nights, we had the pleasure of welcoming a wide variety of bands. As is tradition, we first programmed emerging artists in order to introduce them to the general public. But we also  gave a nod to artists who had participated in the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation’s educational programs, in order to celebrate the Foundation’s 15th anniversary. 

The Memphis saw performances by the talented saxophonist Ferdi, a rising star on the Franco-Belgian jazz scene, and the Dutch/Ghanaian multi-instrumentalist Bnnyhunna, whose style is a mix of hip hop, jazz, and Afro sounds. 
The young Belgian singer Naima Joris also presented her poetic and melancholic melodies to the Montreux audience, sung in her soft and dark voice, while Aimée Gillingwater, a British musician with a classical background, turned to pop music paying tribute to soul and R&B. 
We were delighted to invite back two of our former mentors, pianist Yaron Herman and singer Elina Duni, who has been performing for several years with one of the former winners of the guitar competition, Rob Luft. Two musicians who had been selected for our previous residencies also joined the program: French-Malagasy pianist Mathis Picard, who combines musical excellence with stage presence, and Brazilian pianist Amaro Freitas, whose polyrhythmic explorations and ethno-jazz inspirations take us on a journey to the Amazon. 

MJAF NIGHTS 2022

During the MJAF Nights, we introduced the public to promising musicians who represent the different variations of rhythm’n’blues and jazz today. Ten artists shortlisted by our programming committee were submitted to the artistic committee, consisting of Terri-Lyne Carrington, Michael League and José James. Together they selected six artists who were invited to perform during the first weekend of the Festival. We presented the musical universe of Sam Dotia, The KTNA, LDNFK, Ron Minis, Shunaji and Summer Pearl.

In addition, we have  presented artists whose careers have continued to evolve since their first performance in Montreux and established musicians artists who highlight the wide spectrum of current jazz.

We also presented Louise Matute Large Ensemble and Inude, artists whose careers have gone from strength to strength since they first performed in Montreux, some of whom have gone on to become established musicians such as Soweto Kinch Trio and Tigran Hamasyan, highlighting the broad spectrum of jazz today.

TALENT AWARDS 2021

While the pandemic still prevented many artists from traveling in July 2021, we chose to invite less artists to participate in the Talent Awards program. Nevertheless, we kept an international representation of the emerging music scene. Therefore, 8 bands or solo artists performed during the Montreux Jazz Festival. The public could discover the musical universe of: Mimon (CF/ DE/ AU) 03.07, Klein (LU) 04.07, Meskerem Mees (BE) 08.07, Linda Vogel (CH) 09.07, Beharie (NO) 10.07, Cosma Joy (UK) 15.07, Emile Londonien (FR) 16.07 and May the Muse (DE/ US) 17.07.

The Laureate

Meskerem Mees

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TALENT AWARDS 2019

In 2019, the 16 bands or solo artists selected to perform during the Talent Awards were the following ones:

Madison McFerrin , Afra Kane, Gjon’s Tears, Festen, Giulia Dabalà, Notilus, Brekky Boy, Trio Mezcal, Run Logan Run, Robocobra 4tet, Baris Demirel – Baristik Mi, Gwen et Tiana, Ariwo, Atna, Arthur Hnatek, Luciano Supervielle.

The members of the Talent Awards have been evaluated by an artistic committee bringing together  Carl Craig, Chilly Gonzales, Stanley Clark et Chucho Valdès.

TALENT AWARDS 2018

In 2018, the 16 bands or artists solo selected to perform during the Talent Awards were the following ones:

MTMBO, Koqa Beatbox, Building Intrument, Julie Campiche, Islandman, Vels Trio, Noiserv, Emma-Jean Thackray, Nik West, Opal Ocean, Ork, Jalen N’Gonda, MercuryCarter, Jean-Michel Blais, Luciano Supervielle, HØJDE.

The members of the Talent Awards have been evaluated by an artistic committee bringing together Aloe Blacc, Richard Bona, Derrick Hodge and Bugge Wesseltoft.

MONTREUX JAZZ COMPETITIONS

For more than 15 years, three competitions have taken place during the Montreux Jazz Festival: the Solo Piano Competition, the Voice Competition and the Guitar Competition.

Established one year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, their main aim was to encourage talented artists from Eastern Europe to participate and to reveal them in Montreux.

Quickly recognized in the music world, the competitions have always aroused great interest among young musicians whose applications came from all over the world. Every year, talents from various cultural backgrounds, many of them attending top music schools, came to Montreux to take advantage of this internationally renowned springboard.

After observing a paradigm shift in the music industry, we redefined the profile of the selected musicians and the format of the competitions to better fit with the rules of the music business.

The three Montreux Jazz Festival Competitions have revealed many talents. Several of them have been invited to take part in prestigious projects :

• Pedro Martins (Brazil), winner of the 2015 Guitar Competition. He was chosen by the president of the jury Kurt Rosenwinkel. Following their meeting, the American guitarist and composer produced his album Vox.
• Tigran Hamasyan (Armenia), winner of the 2003 Solo Piano Competition. He is making an international career. He was chosen by the Armenian government to be the official composer and conductor of the Yerevan State Choir during a world tour commemorating the genocide (2015). The prestigious ECM label recorded this project and broadcast it (2014).
• Leandro Pellegrino  (Brazil), winner of the 2013 Guitar Competition. He was chosen to record Dianne Reaves’ album, Beautiful Life, alongside Terri Lyne Carrington, Gregory Porter and Richard Bona. This album received a Grammy in the category “Best jazz vocal album” in 2014.
• Piotr Orzechowski (Poland), winner of the 2011 Solo Piano Competition. He plays classical repertoire with the Polish National Radio Orchestra. He also collaborates in contemporary music with Philip Glass and Steve Reich and plays alongside jazzmen such as Randy Brecker and Avishai Cohen.
• Isfar Sarabski (Azerbaijan), winner (1^st prize ex aequo) of the 2009 Solo Piano Competition. He is a member of Dhaffer Youssef’s group. He also plays in a trio that bears his name.
• Beka Gochiashvili (Georgia), winner (1^st prize ex aequo) of 2009 Solo Piano Competition. He is part of Stanley Clarke’s band.
• Diego Figueiredo (Brazil), winner of the 2007 Guitar Competition. He was George Benson’s favorite, president of the jury. Benson said: “Diego Figueiredo is one of the greatest guitarists I’ve seen in my whole life. The world needs to listen to his music.”
• Alfredo Rodriguez (Cuba), Solo Piano Competition 2006, is one of the musicians whose career is managed by Quincy Jones.