Atlantique Jazz Festival

Atlantique Jazz Festival: An Ocean of Sounds in Brest

The Atlantique Jazz Festival was born in 2004 in Brest, driven by the association Penn ar Jazz and its SMAC (Scène de Musiques Actuelles) labeled structure, Plages Magnétiques. In twenty years, the festival has established itself as an international event dedicated to jazz and improvised music, becoming an essential reference for jazz lovers in Brittany and beyond.

An Audacious Program

The Atlantique Jazz Festival is distinguished by a demanding and open program that explores the boundaries of jazz: contemporary jazz, free jazz, improvised music, experimental and creative music. The festival doesn't just feature the big names in jazz; it also highlights emerging artists and unique projects. The 2025 edition notably honored women in the jazz sphere, with artists such as Célia Kameni, the Orchestre National de Jazz, and the Dutch group The Ex.

A Festival Spread Across the City

One of the particularities of the Atlantique Jazz Festival is its decentralized format. Concerts unfold in several emblematic venues of the Brest metropolis: Le Quartz (national stage), Le Mac Orlan, La Carène (SMAC), Le Cabaret Vauban, and Les Ateliers des Capucins. This geographical dispersion invites festival-goers to discover the city while enjoying the music, creating a true jazz stroll through Brest.

Plages Magnétiques: Much More Than a Festival

The Atlantique Jazz Festival is part of the global project of Plages Magnétiques, a structure that works year-round to promote and disseminate jazz and improvised music in Brittany. Beyond the autumn festival, Plages Magnétiques organizes regular concerts, artist residencies, and cultural events, making Brest a major jazz hub in France. Since its creation, thousands of artists and tens of thousands of spectators have made the festival what it is today.