Forbach Manouche Jazz Festival

The spirit of Django Reinhardt in Forbach

The Forbach Manouche Jazz Festival perpetuates and celebrates the musical tradition initiated by the legendary Django Reinhardt. Every year in May, the Burghof Congress Center vibrates to the frenetic rhythms of manouche guitar, swing violin, and double bass. This two-day festival has established itself as one of the major manouche jazz events in the Grand Est region of France.

Free concerts and exceptional evenings

The festival's program is structured around two daily highlights. In the afternoon, starting at 4 PM, free concerts in the open air or under a marquee allow you to discover new talents and regional manouche jazz groups in a relaxed atmosphere. In the evening, starting at 7 PM, the headliners take over with ticketed concerts featuring the biggest names in the genre.

Exceptional artists

The festival attracts top manouche jazz musicians every year. Among the artists who have performed at the Burghof are Tchavolo Schmitt, Samson Schmitt, Torino Reinhardt, Giovanni Weiss, Simba Baumgartner, and Martin Taylor, to name but a few. This high-quality programming has earned the festival its reputation far beyond the borders of Moselle.

A living musical heritage

Manouche jazz, born in the 1930s from the encounter between the music of the Manouche people of Europe and American jazz, is a living musical heritage. The Forbach Festival contributes to its transmission and influence by introducing this virtuosic and warm music to an ever-wider audience. Influences cross-pollinate between swing, musette waltz, bossa nova, and world music.

The Burghof, an ideal setting

The Burghof Congress Center, located in the heart of Forbach's municipal park, offers a green and friendly setting for this festival. The indoor and outdoor spaces can accommodate the public in optimal conditions, with on-site catering and a bar offering local specialties.

A region of musical tradition

Forbach and its region, on the border with German Saarland, are marked by a rich musical tradition linked to the historical presence of the Manouche community. The Manouche Jazz Festival is part of this cultural history and contributes to the artistic dynamism of eastern Moselle, complementing other cultural events organized by Le Carreau – Scène nationale de Forbach.