For the first time since 1967 the shores of Lake Geneva will be quiet in July as the Montreux Jazz Festival 2020 has been cancelled.
Announcement from the Montreux Jazz Festival website
Dear festival-goers,
We had been prepared for this for several days, but that takes nothing away from the sadness we feel today.
It is with deep regret that the organisers of the Montreux Jazz Festival must today announce that this year’s event, which was set to be held from 3 to 18 July 2020, will not take place. The programme planned for this summer will be partly carried over to next year’s Festival, which will take place from 2 to 17 July 2021.
This Thursday 16 April, the Swiss Federal Council announced that it would be gradually easing some of the protective measures against the coronavirus, but keeping the majority of the necessary hygiene and social distancing measures in place. As such, it is now impossible for us to consider holding an event on the scale of Montreux Jazz Festival in July, just as it is for our fellow organisers of other summer festivals in Switzerland and around the world. Public health concerns naturally take precedence over all other considerations.
This is the first time the Festival has had to be cancelled in its 53 years of making history, bringing people together and producing legendary musical moments. Until the very end, all of us here in the Festival team were still hoping to share these magical moments with everyone who, like us, cannot imagine a summer without the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Our thoughts go out to the staff members, artists and their support teams, technicians and engineers and to all our partners who make the event possible, from local hotels and businesses to everyone who lives in Montreux, and of course our loyal festival-goers.
The Festival is working on rescheduling the concerts that have already been announced – Lionel Richie and Brittany Howard on 8 July 2020, and Lenny Kravitz and Black Pumas on 13 July – to next year, and will keep all ticket holders informed.
We can’t wait to see you again in Montreux from 2 to 17 July 2021, for sixteen days of extraordinary celebrations and musical magic!
Take care and see you soon,
The MJF team
However the music lives on…
Join us for Montreux Jazz Festival Tribute week on Bitmedia24
Here is a throwback to MJF 1992 – Simply Red
At Bitmedia24 the MJF lives on, on our Facebook page as we will be hosting MJF Tribute week from 19 April 2019 – 26 April 2019. We will be sharing all the sights and sound from MJF on our Facebook Page HERE
About the Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place for two weeks every summer in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Created in 1967 by Claude Nobs, the Montreux Jazz Festival has become over the years an essential event, generating fantastic stories and legendary performances.
Nearly 250,000 spectators come to the Festival every year, enjoying a breathtaking setting, concerts with renowned acoustics and many free stages.
With its ambitious programming choices, musical diversity and warm welcome, the Montreux Jazz Festival offers a privileged experience to musicians and the public.
You can’t describe it, words don’t do it justice. You just have to come and experience it.” Quincy Jones
Music link nowhere else
In Montreux, the artists are up close and personal with their fans, which encourages deeply memorable, and even legendary, moments. Here, music is experienced in a truly unique fashion, further enhanced by exceptional comfort and acoustics.
The Montreux Jazz Festival, a platform for creative freedom and encounters, is a one-of-a-kind playground for the artists. Some of them completely re-think their concerts just for Montreux, while others shine at the Festival’s legendary jam sessions and offer fascinating workshops.
Montreux Jazz is for people who really love music. It starts with that, everything else is secondary. Which is rare nowadays.” Jack White
More info here
Enjoy 50 Years of the MJF
A taste of AFRICAN Elegance in the Netherlands, AFRICAN WINES
