Created by Claude Nobs, René Langel, and Géo Voumard in 1967, the Montreux Jazz Festival has long earned its spot among the greatest of its kind. It is considered a rare gem – not just because it draws more than 250,000 visitors, or because it represents one of the most renowned events both in Europe and the rest of the world, but mainly because the festival has managed to preserve its spirit, despite the fact that it has grown quite a bit over the years.
 
In Montreux, the fact that intimacy encourages improvisation has remained a top priority. Accomplished artists and their audiences become close in the festival’s concert halls.  The relaxed atmosphere both on stage and in the audience creates unforgettable music experiences for everyone involved.

And while jazz and blues are what it all started with, the stars of various music genres and generations have been an inherent part of the line-up. The result of what they are able to get out of meeting each other and the unique experiments they are willing to undertake are at the heart of the Montreux Jazz Festival’s ambition and success.