Festival Ateliers Jazz de Meslay-Grez

A Jazz Festival Rooted in Mayenne Since 1998

Created in 1998 in Meslay-du-Maine, the Festival Ateliers Jazz de Meslay-Grez has become, over the years, a major event in the cultural calendar of Mayenne and, more broadly, of the jazz scene in the Pays de la Loire region. Every year in May, it offers a full week of events centered around jazz in all its forms: concerts, educational workshops, artist encounters, film screenings, and musical entertainment.

A Program Between Headliners and Discoveries

The festival's strength lies in its ability to combine internationally renowned artists with emerging talents. Over the years, audiences have had the pleasure of hearing musicians such as Rhoda Scott, Erik Truffaz, Brad Mehldau, China Moses, Youn Sun Nah, Jacky Terrasson, and Richard Galliano. At the same time, the program highlights lesser-known but equally talented ensembles, offering the public opportunities for genuine musical discoveries. The opening acts are often entrusted to the jazz workshops of the region's music schools, thus contributing to the transmission and training of young musicians.

A Traveling Festival Across Several Towns

The Festival Ateliers Jazz de Meslay-Grez is not confined to a single town. Concerts and events are spread across several locations in the Pays de Meslay-Grez, notably Meslay-du-Maine, Villiers-Charlemagne, Saint-Denis-du-Maine, Bannes, and Bouère. This traveling dimension allows it to reach a rural territory and connect with a diverse audience. The concert venues vary between the sociocultural hall in Meslay-du-Maine, the Espace Corail in Villiers-Charlemagne, and other suitable spaces in partner towns.

Activities Beyond the Concerts

The festival is not limited to just concerts. Each edition offers an educational component with music practice workshops open to amateurs and students from music schools. Film screenings in partnership with Cinéville in Laval enrich the program, as do record fairs, music conferences, and street performances. This diversity of activities helps make jazz accessible to all audiences, including those unfamiliar with this musical genre.

A Commitment to Accessibility

True to its founding values, the festival offers a majority of free concerts each year to allow as many people as possible to discover jazz. In 2025, six out of nine concerts were free; in 2026, eight out of eleven concerts are free. Ticket prices for paid concerts remain moderate, and discounts are offered for young people aged 16 to 26. Children under 16 benefit from free admission to all concerts. A multi-concert pass is also available for the most dedicated festival-goers.

Strong Territorial Roots

Supported by the association Festival des Ateliers Jazz de Meslay-Grez, the festival benefits from the support of the community of communes of Pays de Meslay-Grez, the department of Mayenne, and the Region Pays de la Loire. It is fully integrated into the cultural dynamic of southern Mayenne, contributing to the attractiveness and influence of this rural territory. The economic benefits for local businesses, accommodation providers, and restaurants highlight the importance of this event for the life of the region.