La Fabrique du Jazz

La Fabrique du Jazz: Montauban, capital of jazz in autumn

Montauban has a historic and privileged relationship with jazz. It was in this city that Hugues Panassié (1912-1974), one of the most influential jazz critics and promoters of the 20th century, was born and lived. Founder of the Hot Club de France and author of the first reference book on jazz published in Europe, Panassié dedicated his life to defending and promoting authentic jazz, particularly New Orleans jazz and traditional swing.

It is to honor this exceptional heritage that La Fabrique du Jazz was founded in Montauban, making the city an unmissable event for jazz lovers in Occitanie. Organized at the Théâtre Olympe de Gouges—named in homage to another great figure from Montauban, a pioneer of feminism—the festival offers a quality program each autumn that honors both the roots of jazz and its contemporary evolutions.

A festival between tradition and modernity

The philosophy of La Fabrique du Jazz is based on a delicate balance between respect for jazz traditions and openness to contemporary creation. Each edition features evenings of different characters: orchestral evenings, big band concerts, intimate performances, and encounters with artists who push the boundaries of the genre.

The patronage of Ibrahim Maalouf in 2025

For its 7th edition, La Fabrique du Jazz welcomed Ibrahim Maalouf as patron, a Franco-Lebanese virtuoso trumpeter whose music masterfully blends contemporary jazz, Arabic oriental music, and world influences. His project T.O.M.A.—a formation of 9 musicians—offered the festival one of its most memorable concerts, at Eurythmie, a complementary concert venue in the heart of Montauban.

Exceptional orchestral formations

La Fabrique du Jazz stands out for its ability to present large-scale formations. The 2025 edition featured Dulci Jubilo associated with another big band for the show Echoes of America, a choral and orchestral celebration of 30 artists dedicated to 20th-century American musical comedies, centered around the work of Leonard Bernstein and West Side Story.

The ensemble Pink Turtle, for its part, offered a jazzy reinterpretation of popular music standards, with a full lineup including trombone, trumpet, saxophones, guitar, double bass, piano, and drums—seven musicians for an irresistible "French touch".

The Théâtre Olympe de Gouges: a setting for jazz

The Théâtre Olympe de Gouges in Montauban offers an ideal setting for jazz concerts: excellent acoustics, a capacity that allows for real proximity between artists and the audience, and a location in the heart of Montauban that facilitates conviviality before and after the concerts.

This municipal theater is one of the city's main cultural venues and hosts a diverse program throughout the year. During the festival, it transforms into a true temple of jazz, faithful to the spirit of Hugues Panassié, who used to say that jazz was above all "music of the shared moment".

A living heritage for Montauban

La Fabrique du Jazz actively contributes to maintaining and promoting Montauban's jazz heritage. The organizing association works to enhance the Panassié archives and raise awareness among younger generations about the history of jazz. Encounters, conferences, and masterclasses regularly complement the concert program, making this festival a cultural event in its own right, rooted in the identity of Montauban.