La Défense Jazz Festival

La Défense Jazz Festival: half a century of free jazz

ℹ️ 2026 Edition cancelled — only the National Jazz Competition is maintained. Due to budgetary reasons, the Département des Hauts-de-Seine has decided not to organise the festival in 2026. The 49th edition of the National Jazz Competition, however, is maintained: public performances of the selection on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at La Seine Musicale. The festival is hoped to return as early as 2027 or 2028.

Born in 1977 under the impetus of the Conseil général des Hauts-de-Seine, La Défense Jazz Festival is one of France's oldest and most popular jazz events. In almost five decades of existence, it has hosted the biggest names in world jazz on the La Défense esplanade: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Miller, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Chucho Valdés, Caecilie Norby and so many other living legends.

The fundamental originality of the festival lies in its total gratuity. All concerts are free to access, without tickets or registration, offering the entire Île-de-France population — and the many passing tourists — the opportunity to immerse themselves in great music under the open sky, in the heart of one of Europe's most emblematic business districts.

The La Défense esplanade: a unique urban stage

La Défense, a district of skyscrapers and large companies, transforms during the festival into a festive and popular space. The large esplanade — which the public usually crosses in a hurry between two professional appointments — becomes an open-air concert hall with several thousand seats, where the contrast between the glass and steel towers and live music creates a unique atmosphere.

A programme that pushes the boundaries of jazz

True to the spirit of jazz, a festival of freedom and cultural blending, La Défense Jazz Festival rejects narrow musical boundaries. Its programme embraces all ramifications of contemporary jazz: traditional jazz, bebop, jazz fusion, electro jazz, nu-jazz, soul, gospel, afrobeat, blues, R&B, and world music. This musical openness allows the festival to attract a very varied audience, well beyond just jazz enthusiasts.

The La Défense National Jazz Competition

Created in 1977 — 15 years before the festival itself (1992) — the La Défense National Jazz Competition is considered one of the most prestigious jazz competitions in France. It has supported the emergence of many leading French artists, including Erik Truffaz and Airelle Besson. Open to professional or semi-professional jazz ensembles residing in France, with no age limit, it awards two distinctions in 2026: the La Défense National Jazz Competition Prize and the Instrumentalist Prize. Each prize is accompanied by financial aid, a creative residency at La Seine Musicale, and personalised support.

For the 49th edition (2026), registrations were open from February 24 to May 22, 2026; the six selected ensembles are announced on June 4, 2026, and public performances are held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at La Seine Musicale (Boulogne-Billancourt).

The 2025 edition

The 48th edition of the festival took place from June 23 to 29, 2025 on the La Défense esplanade in Puteaux, in front of 57,000 spectators. Programmed artists included Herbie Hancock, a living jazz legend and pioneer of jazz fusion, and Angelique Kidjo, a legend of African world music. The winner of the 2025 National Jazz Competition was the AMG ensemble.

And after 2026?

According to statements from the Département des Hauts-de-Seine in May 2026, the cancellation of the 2026 edition results from significant budgetary constraints affecting the department. The festival is expected to return alternating with the Chorus festival, and the department hopes to be able to organise both events simultaneously again as early as 2027 or 2028. To be continued.