On the weekend of July 2nd and 3rd, the first TSF Jazz festival was held at the Château de Chantilly. In a few words, suffice to say that it was a very successful first experience for TSF-Jazz radio.
All the ingredients and factors were there to satisfy all jazz enthusiasts:
- A sumptuous setting, at the foot of the Château de Chantilly,
- Prestigious musicians and singers,
- Quality acoustics with immersive and powerful sound, "enveloping" the entire audience thanks to the installation of speakers all around the listening area,
- A remarkable organization and logistics including catering points,
- Even the good weather, which cannot be ordered, was at the rendezvous: a chance for this series of concerts that took place in the open air …
Focus on some magical moments of this TSF Jazz festival:
Georges Cables, this "young man" of 77 years, with a musical experience of more than 50 years alongside various legends of jazz, delivered us a magical concert with always a disconcerting pianistic ease and a smile on his lips, despite a deficient health. A beautiful touching performance full of emotions.
Despite his long experience and forty albums produced, Georges admits that he learns always and again and that "each experience makes him grow". A fine example of humility in the service of music! »
Accompanied by Darry Hall on double bass, Piero Odorici on saxophone and Jérôme Jennings on drums, Georges was able to transport the audience into a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
A great moment of musical happiness!
Tchavolo Schmitt, do we still need to present it … The man in the hat, pleasant and smiling, and of a virtuosity always as bluffing … He who has always been passionate and admiring his "master" Django Reinhardt, has been able to take over with dignity to continue to keep alive the spirit and flame of the gypsy guitar, charged with happiness, joie de vivre and melancholy.
Tchavolo, accompanied on guitar by Julien Cattiaux, Édouard Pennes on double bass, Bastien Brison on piano and Bastien Weeger on clarinet, delighted the audience by playing and chaining various pieces of his repertoire in a relaxed, almost intimate atmosphere.
Certainly, a great moment of this festival.
Cyrille Aimée , originally from the Paris region where she made her debut as a jazz singer, has been moving to the United States for a few years to develop her talent, especially in New Orleans.
Cyrille captivated and charmed the audience with his warm and soft voice and playful style.
Accompanied on piano by Dave Torkanowsky, double bass by Matteo Bortone, guitar by Michael Valeanu and drums by Tiss Rodriguez, Cyrille enchanted the audience with several songs from his repertoire.
She also made a very nice demonstration with her looper, in the spirit of a live improvisation, specific to jazz.
A big thank you to Cyrille Aimée for coming from so far away to honor the TSF jazz festival with his presence.
Michel Portal, this talented clarinetist and saxophonist, with an experience of more than 60 years, also honored his presence at this jazz festival. Known for his multifaceted style, including film music, classical, jazz and contemporary music, he has transported audiences into an increasingly intense growing dynamic.
Accompanied by Nils Wogram on trombone, Lander Gyselinck on drums, Julien Herné on electric bass and Bozan Z on piano, Michel Portal captivated the audience in his free jazz universe.
Even a wasp, carried away by the intoxication of this electrifying music, invited himself to the dance and tried to disturb Michel by pricking him with a finger… Despite the pain, he continued his performance with the same vivacity, perhaps even with even more "bite".
A beautiful ovation for this timeless musician and composer.
Ibrahim Maalouf also honoured us with his presence. Accustomed to big scenes, the talented Ibrahim responded promptly to the invitation as usual; A fine example of humility.
Often accompanied on stage by many musicians, he preferred to play in an intimate configuration, with his guitarist friend François Delporte. They particularly developed their friendly and musical relationship during the intense period of health restrictions related to Covid, the conditions did not favor multiple collaborations during this period.
During his performance, as usual, Ibrahim Maalouf commented on his compositions to explain the history, the subtleties of certain passages, especially in connection with certain moments of his life.
With a magical sound of his own, his orientalizing style filled with nuances in quarter tones, Ibrahim transported the audience present in front of the castle of Chantillly.
To finish his performance, he brought on stage the young singers who are part of the mastery of the Ménestrel de Chantilly.
The audience was also invited to participate in this finale by singing alongside this mastery dressed in red and black.
A moment of pure happiness.
This first TSF jazz festival was a real success, with many other magical moments alongside other talented artists who delighted the hearts of all jazz enthusiasts throughout the weekend.
So a big thank you to TSF jazz radio for all this beautiful organization and this quality concert series.
So, see you probably next year for the greatest pleasure of all.
Pierre Alakian
