Ej@msLive

Ej@msLive: The essential guitar event in Digne-les-Bains

Since 2007, the Ej@msLive festival has established itself as a major event on the music scene of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Born from the passion of Éric Bertholet, a technician at the Centre Culturel René Char in Digne-les-Bains, this festival celebrates the guitar in all its forms: jazz, fusion, rock, funk, world music, metal, and beyond.

A unique concept centered on the guitar

Ej@msLive stands out for its original approach to music, based on the collective experience of the stage. The festival is not limited to simple concerts; it offers a truly immersive journey around the guitar and its practice. The masterclasses allow musicians of all levels to interact directly with the invited artists, while the CAM workshops (Computer-Assisted Music) introduce younger participants from age 10 to electronic music production and live instrumental interaction.

The EjamsLive Challenge, an emblematic highlight of the festival, offers amateur guitarists the opportunity to be invited on stage by the programmed artists, with numerous prizes to be won, including guitars. This participatory initiative embodies the spirit of the festival: bringing musicians and the public closer together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

An eclectic and demanding program

Throughout its editions, Ej@msLive has hosted national and international artists, covering a wide musical spectrum. From jazz fusion bands like Sixun (winner of the Grand Prix Jazz SACEM 2023) to the classical and pop guitars of Thibault Cauvin, through the progressive world jazz of Digital Soul Project, the Afro-Cuban rhythms of Rubén Paz y su Chévéré Fusion, or the uninhibited rock of Café Bertrand, each edition offers discoveries and exceptional moments.

Exhibitions and Luthiery

The festival places a special emphasis on luthiery and guitar craftsmanship. Luthiers exhibit their creations at each edition, allowing the public to discover the expertise in instrument making. The 2024 edition made a mark with the exceptional exhibition “100 Years of Jacobacci”, showcasing over 40 guitars from the legendary Jacobacci brothers, whose instruments were played by artists such as Sacha Distel and Frank Zappa. Raymond Gimenes, founder of Guitars Unlimited, was the guest of honor for this historic edition.

A festival rooted in its territory

Organized by the Centre Culturel René Char, Ej@msLive is fully integrated into the cultural dynamic of Digne-les-Bains and the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. The festival has been hosted in various emblematic venues in the city: the Centre Culturel René Char, the Place Général de Gaulle, and since 2024, the Palais des Congrès. This diversity of locations reflects the festival's ambition to reach an ever-wider audience while highlighting Digne's architectural heritage.