About us
Since its creation, the Festival has been both a world-class venue for musical giants as well as a springboard for new talents. It has always encouraged the mix of cultures and generations amongst the musicians and dedicated event where artists and audience could meet.
PRESENTATION
The Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF), a state-approved non-profit foundation, has been passing on and putting into effect this vision since 2007. It pursues a mission for the artists as well as for the audiences: for the former, it aims to scout and promote up-and -coming talents and to support creativity and career development. For the latter, it introduces them to musical gems and makes music accessible to all. By maintaining a free access to cultural activities and concerts, the Foundation strengthens musical culture and live music outreach.
Part of the MJAF activities take place during the Montreux Jazz Festival, offering musicians and audiences the ideal conditions of emulation and musical discovery. During the rest of the year, the Foundation organizes various concerts and events in Switzerland and abroad in order to promote the artists it supports.
MONTREUX JAZZ ARTISTS FOUNDATION’S ENDEAVOURS
- Discovering and promoting new talents
The MJAF has the goal of discovering emerging talents on the music scene. Through our expertise in talent recognition and through our network, we select the best amongst them to perform at the Festival’s free venues or to join our talent-discovery program, the Talent Awards. - Supporting creativity and developing careers
In an increasingly high-pressure music industry environment, we have designed collaborative residency and mentoring programs for up-and-coming as well as experienced musicians. Through the Montreux Jazz Academy which blends coaching and immersion in music, we provide them with spaces in which to express themselves and tools they can use to progress in their careers and their own style. - Sharing music with everyone
With the aim of sharing music with as many people as possible and imparting musical culture, the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation offers eclectic, free programming in a blend of concerts and outreach activities. The broad public is invited to discover bands from highly diverse musical horizons, namely on the Music in the Park stage; to attend Workshops and Screenings, that offer thematic talks with artists and films and documentaries related to the musical universe. In the evenings, extraordinary Jam Sessions are free of charge to live unique moments. This rich program unfurls at a variety of venues during the two weeks of the Festival, from early afternoon until the wee hours, and during one-off events throughout the year. - Presenting musical gems to the greater public
Each year we organize concerts to introduce the public to musicians we have fallen in love with, giving audiences the opportunity to get to know and appreciate them. Whether elsewhere in Europe or right here in Montreux, these encounters are opportunities to draw wide attention to promising artists, in intimate or festive ambiances, resulting in unique musical moments.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Please find below the annual reports of the previous years to browse the various projects that we have organized and discover all musicians we have supported.
FOUNDATION BOARD & OPERATIONAL TEAM
FOUNDATION BOARD
- Chairman: Xavier Oberson
- Vice-Chairman: Mathieu Jaton
- Members: S.A.R. Julie de Luxembourg, Wendy Oxenhorn, Magali Van Overbeke Deconinck, Stephanie Rada Zocco
OPERATIONAL TEAM
- CEO: Mathieu Jaton
- Secretary General: Viviane Rychner Raouf
- Executive assistant: Nathalie Oguey
- Programmers: Stéphanie-Aloysia Moretti, Claudia Regolatti Muller