CosmoJazz Festival

CosmoJazz: Jazz Reaches New Heights in the Mont-Blanc Valley

Since its first edition in 2010, the CosmoJazz Festival has established itself as one of France's most unique musical events. The founding idea came from the meeting between André Manoukian, an internationally renowned jazz pianist and lover of Chamonix, and Carine Zuber, an experienced programmer from Cully Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Together, with Charles Vetter in production, they created a festival that pushes the boundaries of traditional concerts by taking over exceptional natural sites in the high mountains.

The Cosmojazz Chamonix association, founded in February 2010 with the support of Mayor Éric Fournier, has been driving the project from the start. In fifteen editions, the festival has grown from a niche event to a must-attend gathering attracting tens of thousands of spectators each summer.

Breathtaking Stages

CosmoJazz's signature lies in its extraordinary concert venues. Parc Couttet, in the heart of Chamonix, hosts the major open-air evenings. But it's the high-altitude stages that make the festival legendary: concerts at Planpraz facing the Aiguilles mountain range, intimate sessions at La Flégère with panoramic views of Mont-Blanc, performances at Lac des Chavants in a green setting, and even exceptional concerts at the summit of the Aiguille du Midi, at 3,842 meters altitude.

A World Jazz Program Open to the World

True to its name, CosmoJazz cultivates a cosmopolitan vision of jazz. The program blends traditional jazz, jazz fusion, world music, afrobeat, funk, and contemporary sounds. Among the artists who have made the festival's history are Erik Truffaz, Kokoroko, Trio Joubran, Hadouk Trio, Portico Quartet, Altin Gün, The Bongo Hop, and Yom. André Manoukian himself regularly performs with his quartet, perpetuating the link between the creator and his creation.

A Free and Supportive Festival

One of CosmoJazz's founding principles is the free access to most concerts. This philosophy of accessibility allows all audiences — families, hikers, seasoned music lovers, and the curious — to enjoy an international-quality program without financial barriers. The festival also has a supportive dimension, with actions promoting the mountain environment and culture for all.

Beyond the Festival: CosmoJazz Experience

CosmoJazz has expanded beyond Chamonix with the launch of CosmoJazz Luchon in the Pyrenees, as well as the CosmoJazz Experience platform, which extends the festival's spirit throughout the year through audiovisual content and one-off events. This expansion reflects the growing influence of a festival that has successfully invented its own genre: high-altitude jazz.