Albret Jazz Festival

A jazz festival in the heart of Pays d'Albret

The Albret Jazz Festival is the flagship musical event of the start of the season in Lot-et-Garonne. Every year, on the second weekend of September, the Parc de la Garenne in Nérac is transformed into a green setting dedicated to jazz and its related music. For three days, the festival hosts about fifteen concerts on two stages, bringing together nationally and internationally renowned artists.

From Albret Jazz Sessions to Albret Jazz Festival

The adventure began in 2017 under the name Albret Jazz Sessions. At the time, concerts were held outdoors in the castles of the Pays d'Albret, combining jazz music and the architectural heritage of the region. In 2021, after four traveling editions, the festival was renewed and took the name Albret Jazz Festival, establishing itself permanently in the historic Parc de la Garenne, in the heart of the town of Nérac. The artistic direction was entrusted to Didier Bergen, who infused new energy into the event.

An eclectic and demanding program

The Albret Jazz Festival's program is open to the many facets of jazz and its influences:

• Jazz in all its forms, from swing to contemporary jazz
• Blues, the roots of jazz
• Soul and funk, for groovy sounds
• Vocals and brass, highlighting vocal talents and brass ensembles

Over the years, the festival has hosted top artists such as Manu Katché, Thomas Dutronc, Terez Montcalm, Judith Hill, Veronica Swift, and Crazy Dolls and The Bollocks. The program mixes headliners and discoveries, offering the public a rich and varied panorama of current jazz music.

Parc de la Garenne, an exceptional setting

The Parc de la Garenne is one of the oldest public gardens in France, created in the 16th century on the initiative of King Henri IV, who spent part of his youth in Nérac. This historic park, bordered by the Baïse river, offers a green and romantic setting ideal for an outdoor festival. The festival's two stages are harmoniously integrated into this tree-lined environment, creating an intimate and warm atmosphere conducive to music.

Two stages for a complete musical experience

The festival has two stages that operate alternately, allowing concerts to follow one another without interruption. This setup ensures continuous musical immersion from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, with concerts starting in the late morning and continuing into the evening.

An event supported by the territory

The Albret Jazz Festival is organized by the Albret Tourist Office in partnership with the Communauté de Communes Albret Communauté. This strong territorial anchoring makes the festival a true tool for cultural and tourist development of the Pays d'Albret, attracting a loyal audience and new visitors to this beautiful region of the Southwest every year.