Jazz à Garches

Jazz à Garches, the town's free celebration

Jazz à Garches is one of the most anticipated cultural events in the town of Garches (92380). Organized by the municipality, this entirely free annual festival takes place every end of June in the town center, transforming squares and public spaces into ephemeral jazz stages. Since its first edition, the festival has forged a strong identity: an event "made by and for the residents," open to all audiences, from families with children to the most discerning jazz lovers.

Four editions, an affirmed identity

Jazz à Garches celebrated its 4th edition in 2025. From its beginnings, the festival has paid tribute to jazz figures linked to the commune: Sidney Bechet, the New Orleans clarinetist and saxophonist who lived for several years in the Paris region, and Claude Bolling, the pianist and composer whose name is borne by the Sidney Bechet Cultural Center in Garches. This historical lineage gives the festival a particular depth.

Over the editions, the programming has explored the different facets of jazz: swing from the 1930s-50s, Brazilian jazz with a bossa-nova touch, gypsy jazz, contemporary jazz with electronic influences. Each year, the festival mixes established bands and conservatory ensembles, offering a showcase for local musicians while exposing them to artists from the national scene.

The 4th edition of 2025: between conviviality and discovery

On June 27, 28, and 29, 2025, Jazz à Garches hosted a varied program in different locations around the town. Among the headliners: the duo Airelle Besson & Lionel Suarez, a poetic meeting of a trumpeter and an accordionist with complementary universes, and the Franco-Taiwanese singer Estelle Perrault, whose unique voice blends traditional jazz and Asian influences. Roman Reidid & Paper Chase explored the territories of modern jazz, while Photons — a band on the border of jazz and electronic music — surprised the audience in the evening.

On Sunday, conservatory ensembles and a New Orleans-style brass band concluded the festival in a festive and popular atmosphere. Free jazz discovery workshops were offered throughout the weekend at the Conservatory, complementing the musical offering with an educational dimension accessible to all.

One town, two legends

Garches is a town in Hauts-de-Seine proud of its musical heritage. The Sidney Bechet Cultural Center and Claude Bolling Street remind us that the town has strong ties to the history of jazz. Jazz à Garches perpetuates this heritage by anchoring improvised music in the daily lives of the people of Garches, every summer, under the June sun.