Parfum de Jazz

Jazz at the heart of Drôme provençale

Parfum de Jazz was born in 1999 on the initiative of Alain Brunet and the mayor of Buis-les-Baronnies, Jean-Pierre Buix. The first edition, modest but foundational, took place over three evenings in August with a big band of Danish amateur musicians, some of whom had second homes in the Baronnies. Since then, the festival has continued to grow to become one of the major jazz events in Drôme provençale.

Two territories, one spirit

Parfum de Jazz now unfolds across two territories in the Drôme. In July, the festival takes over the Tricastin, with concerts in Pierrelatte, Donzère, La Garde-Adhémar, Montségur-sur-Lauzon, and Saint-Restitut. In August, it returns to its historic cradle in the Baronnies, around Buis-les-Baronnies and Mollans-sur-Ouvèze, with concerts at the Théâtre de Verdure de la Palun, an emblematic venue of the festival nestled at the foot of the limestone cliffs.

This dual territorial presence allows the festival to reach a large and diverse audience while highlighting the exceptional natural and architectural heritage of these two regions of the Drôme.

A demanding and committed program

Parfum de Jazz stands out for its demanding and committed artistic program. The festival promotes a proactive policy in favor of bands led by women and the showcasing of instrumentalists, contributing to better female representation in the world of jazz. Subtitled International Jazz Ladies Festival, it highlights leading female artists from France and abroad.

The program embraces jazz in all its contemporary forms: vocal jazz, acoustic jazz, fusion jazz, gypsy jazz, free jazz, soul jazz, and improvised music. Established artists share the stage with developing groups, ensuring a constant renewal of the artistic offering.

Three concert formats

The festival offers three complementary concert formats. The evening concerts at 9 PM are the highlights of the program, featuring internationally renowned artists in heritage venues. The Jazz Gourmand, free concerts at 7 PM, combine music and gastronomy in a relaxed atmosphere. The Jazz au Village, scheduled for early evening at 6 PM in small villages, bring jazz closer to the residents in intimate and surprising settings.

A festival rooted in its territory

With approximately 10,000 festival-goers spread across its two territories, Parfum de Jazz has established itself as a major cultural player in Drôme provençale. The festival contributes to the tourist appeal and economic dynamism of the Baronnies and Tricastin, while offering a high-quality cultural experience in rural areas. Driven by a team of passionate volunteers, it embodies the vitality of jazz in rural areas and the ability of a human-sized festival to offer an ambitious and accessible program.