Megève Jazz Contest

Megève Jazz Contest: thirty years of traditional jazz in the heart of the Alps

The history of the Megève Jazz Contest began in 1994, when Gérard Morand, then mayor of Megève, and Alain Bompard, president of the tourist office, called on Poumy Arnaud to create a musical event to mark the start of the summer season. Poumy Arnaud, a regular visitor to Megève since 1939, was an exceptional musician: he was Sidney Bechet's last drummer, a New Orleans jazz legend. It is this lineage with early jazz that gives the Megève Jazz Contest its unique identity.

Since its creation, the competition has grown to become a must-attend event for traditional jazz in Europe. Every summer, amateur orchestras faithful to the New Orleans jazz, swing, and be-bop repertoire gather in Megève for three days of music, dance, and conviviality.

A village transformed into a jazz stage

The unique feature of the Megève Jazz Contest is that it takes over the entire village. The competing orchestras perform in the four corners of Megève: on the Place du Village, on the terraces of partner restaurants, in the pedestrian streets, and at the Mageva Sports Palace hall for the gala evening and awards ceremony. This total musical immersion transforms Megève into an open-air jazz village, where you can move from one concert to another while strolling through the alleys.

The competition: tradition and emulation

The heart of the event remains the competition itself. The orchestras, selected for their faithfulness to the traditional jazz repertoire, perform before a panel of professionals who evaluate the musical quality, interpretation, and spirit of jazz. The gala evening, the highlight of the festival, brings together the best orchestras for a final concert followed by the awards ceremony. The winner is invited back the following year for an opening concert.

A living heritage of New Orleans jazz

The Megève Jazz Contest perpetuates a living musical tradition. New Orleans jazz, with its brass bands, collective improvisations, and infectious energy, finds a perfect setting in Megève. Be-bop dance demonstrations, dance classes open to all, and spontaneous jam sessions extend the jazz spirit in a festive and relaxed atmosphere. The event is free and open to all, true to the popular philosophy of early jazz.

An intergenerational gathering

The Megève Jazz Contest attracts an intergenerational audience, from long-time jazz enthusiasts to families and the curious. The good-natured atmosphere, the quality of the musicians, and the beauty of the Megève setting make this competition a unique event in the French festival landscape.