Its reputation has only blossomed since the beginning of this new millennium, thanks to the ambitious editorial policy, widely open to the diversity of the Afro-American heritage, initiated by Viviane Sicnasi, the festival’s artistic director. Besides the fundamental presence of jazz, one can discover the current trends of pop, world, blues, soul, R&B, and funk in a generous and fruitful blend.
The return of theme evenings: for this 2007 edition, Viviane Sicnasi wanted to illustrate the openness of African-American music to the world, chronicling both the torrid love affairs between jazz and Flamenco and its impact on Jamaican reggae, as well as its fascination with Africa.
In total, 8 exciting evenings, rich in emotions; 8 clearly defined innovative themes, with a special mention for the celebration organized for the 40th anniversary of funk, marked by the triumphant return of the genius Sly Stone, whom the Nice Jazz Festival convinced to come out of retirement after several decades of absence.
New: the “Soccajazz” stage. Located on the Matisse stage, the “Soccajazz” evenings scheduled for the early hours from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM will present a daily selection of the best artists from the region. (programming to come)
THE PROGRAM OF THE NICE JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007
Wednesday, July 18: “Blue Pop”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Ryoko / 8:00 PM: Pure
Katie Melua, Jeff Beck, Ayo, Manu Katché, Mario Biondi, Yaron Herman
Thursday, July 19: “40 Funky Candles”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Spaaargonautes / 7:15 PM: Running Birds
Sly & the Family Stone, Marcus Miller, Donavon Frankenreiter, Nate James, No Jazz
Friday, July 20: “Reggae Night Party”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Babyclone
Jimmy Cliff, Bitty McLean with Sly and Robbie, Joe Zawinul Syndicate, K’naan, Groundation, Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Positive Roots
Saturday, July 21: “Olé, Noche Flamenca”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Good Gipsy vibes
Gipsy Kings, Chano Dominguez, Diego El Cigala, Tomatito sextet, El Bicho, La Shica, Lemmy Constantine
Sunday, July 22: “Four of a Kind Kings”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Linkage / 7:45 PM: Altérite
Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs, John Ellison, James Blood Ulmer, Solomon Burke, Charles Walker, Joby Smith, Geno Young
Monday, July 23: “Saga Africa”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Trafikandam
The Roots, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Toumani Diabaté, Sakesho, Julien Loureau, Raul Paz, So Kalmery
Tuesday, July 24: “Famous Songwriters”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Ben Mazue
Laurent Voulzy, Randy Crawford & Joe Sample, Madeleine Peyroux, Piers Faccini, Noa, Eric Bibb, Sonya Kitchell
Wednesday, July 25: “So Urban”
Socca Jazz: 6:30 PM: Nadimori / 8:00 PM: Jean Pierre Bruno
Lauryn Hill, Oxmo Puccino & the Jazz Bastards, Naturally 7, Eric Legnini, Manu Dibango, Charlier et Sourisse, Gabriela Mendès
