About Jazz en Villeneuvois

Jazz en Villeneuvois is a jazz festival created in 1989 in Villeneuve-sur-Lot by the association Jazz 47. Initially dedicated to the great names of international jazz with artists like Ray Charles and Miles Davis at the Parc des Expositions, the festival reinvented itself in 1994 by refocusing on the music of Louisiana and New Orleans. Set in the medieval Bastide, it offers each summer a program of nearly ten hours daily mixing traditional and modern jazz, blues, gospel, and zydeco in a festive and friendly atmosphere.

A festival born from a passion for jazz

The history of jazz in Villeneuve-sur-Lot began in 1973, when dentist Richard Roumagne founded the association Jazz 47 with a few passionate friends. American pianist Sammy Price became its honorary president. In 1982, the association opened the Cave Jazz 47, an emblematic venue that would host most of the concerts throughout the year. Building on this momentum, a first festival was born in 1984 at the request of the director of the Parc des Expositions, with a program put together in less than three months, including Dizzy Gillespie, Tania Maria, and Clark Terry.

The birth of Jazz en Villeneuvois

In 1989, the new municipal council, through the deputy mayor for culture Jean-Luc Barré, contacted the Jazz 47 association to revive the festival adventure with a promise of continuity. Thus, the Jazz en Villeneuvois festival was born. From 1989 to 1993, the greatest soloists and renowned bands performed in the large hall of the Parc des Expositions, with concerts at 9 PM, free entertainment at the Porte de Paris, and jam sessions at the Cave Jazz 47.

Exceptional artists

The first editions of the festival hosted jazz legends:

Ray Charles
Miles Davis
Dee Dee Bridgewater
George Benson
Dizzy Gillespie
Tania Maria
Clark Terry

The Louisiana turn in 1994

In 1993, a delegation of sixteen people from Villeneuve visited the New Orleans Heritage and Jazz Festival. This experience marked a decisive turning point: from 1994 onwards, the festival reinvented itself by dedicating itself to the music of Louisiana and New Orleans. Two prestigious figures participated in the christening of this new format: George Wein, organizer of major festivals worldwide, and Sidney Barthélemy, mayor of New Orleans.

The festival then moved from the Parc des Expositions to the medieval Bastide of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, built between 1251 and 1266. This relocation to the historic heart of the city gave the festival a unique and intimate atmosphere.

A rich and eclectic program

Since this relaunch, Jazz en Villeneuvois has presented all the musical styles heard in Louisiana:

Traditional New Orleans Jazz
Modern and contemporary Jazz
Delta and Chicago Blues
Gospel and spiritual music
Zydeco and Cajun music

A festive village in the heart of the Bastide

The festival transforms the Bastide into a true musical village with a central stage, bars, restaurants, and relaxation areas. The daily program extends over nearly ten hours of music, offering the public a total immersion in Louisiana sounds. Among the artists who have marked recent editions are Trudy Lynn, the Dany Doriz Septet, and Church Street.

A cultural bridge between Villeneuve and New Orleans

Jazz en Villeneuvois embodies a true transatlantic cultural bridge between Lot-et-Garonne and Louisiana. Driven by the unwavering passion of Richard Roumagne and the Jazz 47 association, the festival has perpetuated for over thirty years the spirit of sharing and conviviality inherent in New Orleans music, in the heart of a medieval bastide in southwestern France.

Practical information — Jazz en Villeneuvois

Access

The festival takes place in the historic center of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, in the Lot-et-Garonne department (47), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

By car: Villeneuve-sur-Lot is accessible via the RN21 (Agen-Périgueux) and the D911. From Agen, allow about 30 minutes (30 km). From Bordeaux, about 1h45 via the A62 then the RN21. From Toulouse, about 1h30 via the A62 exit Agen then RN21. Parking is available near the historic town center.
By train: Villeneuve-sur-Lot station, served by TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine on the Agen-Périgueux line. The station is a few minutes' walk from the town center and the Bastide.

Festival venue

Concerts and entertainment take place in the medieval Bastide of Villeneuve-sur-Lot, in the historic town center. A festive village is set up with a central stage, bars, shops, lounges, and dining areas. The musical program spans nearly ten hours a day, offering a complete immersion in Louisiana sounds.

Period

The festival is traditionally held in July, during the summer season. Concerts are held outdoors in the Bastide, taking advantage of the exceptional setting of this medieval city founded in the 13th century.

Ticketing

Tickets are available from the Villeneuve – Vallée du Lot Tourist Office (tel: 05 53 36 17 30, email: [email protected]) and on the Jazz 47 association's website.

Catering

Bars, restaurants, and catering areas are set up in the festival village throughout the event. Festival-goers can also enjoy the many restaurants and shops in the town center of Villeneuve-sur-Lot.

Contact

Association Jazz 47
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 05 53 36 70 16
Website: www.jev47.fr

Accommodation

The Villeneuve – Vallée du Lot Tourist Office provides information on available accommodation (hotels, B&Bs, gîtes, campsites) near the festival. Villeneuve-sur-Lot has a varied range of accommodation for all budgets. It is strongly recommended to book in advance during the summer period.

Jazz en Villeneuvois