Rhino Jazz(s) Festival
Jazz for everyone, from Saint-Chamond to the whole Loire region
2026
About Rhino Jazz(s)
Rhino Jazz(s) — edition 2026
The Rhino Jazz(s) Festival, renamed The RHINO Festival for this edition, takes place from September 25 to October 18, 2026. The program features 36 events across 31 municipalities in the Loire and Rhône departments, including Monty Alexander and Amaro Freitas at the Opéra de Saint-Étienne, Kyle Eastwood at the Radiant-Bellevue in Caluire-et-Cuire, Ana Carla Maza in Saint-Chamond, and Étienne Mbappé opening the festival in Montrond-les-Bains.
2026 Edition: September 25 to October 18
The team has rebranded the event as "The RHINO Festival" for 2026. Artistic director Ludovic Chazalon has curated the program around the intersections of jazz with African, South American, and Balkan music, as well as Guadeloupean gwoka. The festival features 42 concerts over 22 days.
The concerts are divided into eight categories: Jazzmasters, World Vocals, Jazz Swing Vocals, Jazz Africa, Soul & Gospel, Blues, Rock & Roots, The Unclassifiables, and New Orleans & Brass Bands. The festival maintains its nomadic spirit, taking place in village churches, municipal halls, castles, a film library, an art gallery, a hospitality high school, a business, and the Opéra de Saint-Étienne.
Two dates are exclusive to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region: Ana Carla Maza on October 2 in Saint-Chamond, and the Amaro Freitas / Monty Alexander Trio double bill on October 8 at the Opéra de Saint-Étienne.
Artistic outreach and school concerts
In partnership with the DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the academic inspectorate for the Saint-Chamond and Rive-de-Gier districts, the festival runs a program in nursery and primary schools. Cynthia Abraham leads vocal polyphony and percussion workshops on September 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, and 18, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, in schools across Saint-Chamond, Rive-de-Gier, and Genilac. She then joins her siblings for the Abraham Réunion concerts on October 5, 6, and 8 at the salle Roger-Planchon in Saint-Chamond, at 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM, and 2:30 PM (only at 2:30 PM on October 5). These concerts are open to everyone, with reservations at [email protected], for 3 €.
Two events with the Saint-Chamond hospitality high school
The hospitality high school will host the Forró da Casa Verde dinner-concert on October 5 at 7:00 PM. The following week, students will provide catering for the partners' cocktail party at the Ceux qui marchent debout concert on October 16 at the Ellipse facilities in La Ricamarie.
Highlights Rhino Jazz(s) 2026
- Amaro Freitas solo and Monty Alexander Trio, double bill on October 8 at the Opéra de Saint-Étienne (exclusive date in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region)
- Kyle Eastwood 5tet, October 9 at the Radiant-Bellevue in Caluire-et-Cuire, featuring music from Clint Eastwood's films
- Ana Carla Maza 5tet, "Alamar", October 2 in Saint-Chamond (exclusive date in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region)
- Étienne Mbappé 5tet, "Country Side", opening night on September 25 in Montrond-les-Bains
- Sandra Nkaké Trio, "Elles !", October 15 in Saint-Genis-Laval
- Blues Night with Jane Jeresa Quintet, Sons of Killdozer and Andy Balcon, October 17 in Saint-Chamond
- Ceux qui marchent debout, October 16 at the Ellipse facilities in La Ricamarie
Programme Rhino Jazz(s) 2026
The program released by the organizers features 36 events from September 25 to October 18, 2026, across 31 municipalities in the Loire and Rhône departments. The festival includes a total of 42 concerts, with several evenings featuring two or three different acts. Prices are listed as reduced rate followed by full price.
Friday, September 25, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Matyemah Duo · Saint-Joseph, Le Cercle · Jazz Africa · 15 / 20 €
- 8:30 PM — Étienne Mbappé 5tet, "Country Side" · Montrond-les-Bains, Les Foréziales · Jazz Africa · 20 / 25 €
- 8:30 PM — Nicolle Rochelle & Dimes · Saint-Héand, salle Bouthieu · Jazz Swing Vocals · 20 / 25 €
Saturday, September 26, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Imperial 4tet, "Dunav Magika" · Saint-Paul-en-Jarez, Maison du temps libre · The Unclassifiables · 15 / 20 €
- 8:00 PM — Annie Lalalove Trio · Saint-Maurice-en-Gourgois, church · Soul & Gospel · 15 / 20 €
- 8:30 PM — Thomas Kahn, Live Band · Veauche, L’Escale · Soul & Gospel · 20 / 25 €
Sunday, September 27, 2026
- 6:00 PM — Gospelize It Project · Villars, church · Soul & Gospel · 15 / 20 €
Thursday, October 1, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Tankus · Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, La Passerelle · The Unclassifiables · 20 / 25 €
Friday, October 2, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Ana Carla Maza 5tet, "Alamar" · Saint-Chamond, salle Aristide-Briand · World Vocals · 27 / 34 € · exclusive date in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
Saturday, October 3, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Krakens · La Fouillouse, community hall · New Orleans & Brass Bands · 15 / 20 €
Sunday, October 4, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Brassens le Cubain · Roche-la-Molière, L’Opsis · World Vocals · 15 / 20 €
- 6:00 PM — Monkey Tonk · Tartaras, espace du Châtelard · Blues, Rock & Roots · 15 / 20 €
Monday, October 5, 2026
- 7:00 PM — Forró da Casa Verde, dinner-concert · Saint-Chamond, hospitality high school · New Orleans & Brass Bands · dinner-concert reservations only through the hospitality high school at 04 77 29 29 90
- 7:00 PM — Marc Loy & Diabolo · Dargoire, Auberge Laffont · Blues, Rock & Roots · 15 / 20 €
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Abraham Réunion, "Jaden an Nou" · Firminy, Maison de la Culture Le Corbusier · World Vocals · 20 / 25 €
- 8:00 PM — Spin & Spells / Stranded Horse · Oullins, Théâtre de la Renaissance · The Unclassifiables · tickets via Théâtre de la Renaissance
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- 6:30 PM — Vincent Brégère, "Érable" · Saint-Étienne, Tarentaize film library/media library · Blues, Rock & Roots · free, reservation required
- 8:00 PM — Lady Scott 6tet, "Swing Combo" · Sorbiers, L’Échappé · Jazz Swing Vocals · 15 / 20 €
Thursday, October 8, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Amaro Freitas solo and Monty Alexander Trio, double bill · Saint-Étienne, Opéra · Jazzmasters · 30 / 34 € · exclusive date in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
Friday, October 9, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Kyle Eastwood 5tet · Caluire-et-Cuire, Le Radiant-Bellevue · Jazzmasters · 29 / 39 €, 19 € for those under 26
- 8:30 PM — Buck · Feurs, Château du Rozier · The Unclassifiables · 15 / 17 €, standing concert
- 8:30 PM — The Supersoul Brothers · Saint-Martin-la-Plaine, La Gare · Blues, Rock & Roots · 15 / 20 €
Saturday, October 10, 2026
- 8:30 PM — African Variations, Chérif Soumano & Sébastien Giniaux · Genilac, church · Jazz Africa · 15 / 20 €
- 8:30 PM — Trio Zéphyr · La Tour-en-Jarez, church · World Vocals · 15 / 20 €
Sunday, October 11, 2026
- 5:00 PM — Aptère Duo · Saint-Paul-en-Cornillon, church · The Unclassifiables · 15 / 20 €
- 6:00 PM — Amin Al Aiedy 4tet · Saint-Étienne, Le Solar · The Unclassifiables · 10 / 14 €, Solar membership required
Monday, October 12, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Élodie Pasquier solo, original work "Le chant des passages" · Saint-Étienne, Ceysson & Bénétière gallery · The Unclassifiables · 15 / 20 €
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Jî Drû 4tet, "Poems for Dance" · Andrézieux-Bouthéon, Théâtre du Parc · World Vocals · 18 / 21 €
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Achille Ouattara 6tet, "Faso Funky" · Rive-de-Gier, salle Jean-Dasté · Jazz Africa · 15 / 20 €
- 9:00 PM — Bonbon Flamme · Lyon, Le Périscope · The Unclassifiables · tickets via Le Périscope
Thursday, October 15, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Sandra Nkaké Trio, "Elles !" · Saint-Genis-Laval, La Mouche · World Vocals · tickets via La Mouche
- 8:30 PM — Anna Stevens 7tet, "Swing me now" · Unieux, Le Quarto · Jazz Swing Vocals · 20 / 25 €
- 8:30 PM — Daniel Migliosi 4tet and EYM Trio · Villeurbanne, Théâtre de l’Astrée · The Unclassifiables · 10 / 15 €, 6 € for INSA students · in partnership with Un Doua de Jazz
Friday, October 16, 2026
- 8:30 PM — Ceux qui marchent debout · La Ricamarie, Ellipse facilities · New Orleans & Brass Bands · 20 / 25 €, standing concert
Saturday, October 17, 2026
- 8:00 PM — Blues Night: Jane Jeresa Quintet, Sons of Killdozer and Andy Balcon solo · Saint-Chamond, salle Aristide-Briand · Blues, Rock & Roots · 25 / 30 €
Sunday, October 18, 2026
- 5:30 PM — Back in Town · Châteauneuf, La Grange, Château du Mollard, allée de l’Octroi · New Orleans & Brass Bands · 15 / 20 €
School concerts open to the public
- 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM and 2:30 PM — Abraham Réunion · Saint-Chamond, salle Roger-Planchon · October 5, 6, and 8, only at 2:30 PM on October 5 · 3 €, by reservation at [email protected]
Prices Rhino Jazz(s) 2026
Grand pass: 110 € for 10 concerts of your choice, excluding concerts not managed by the festival's box office (Le Périscope, Théâtre de la Renaissance, La Mouche, Un Doua de Jazz).
Rhino Pass: reduced rate starting from 3 purchased concerts, by reservation.
Reduced rate with proof: people with disabilities, job seekers, students and those under 18, Pass'Région Jeune, Pass'Région Sénior.
Free for children under 12, except for concerts outside the Rhino box office and the Kyle Eastwood concert.
Vincent Brégère concert, October 7 at the Tarentaize film library/media library: free with reservation.
Abraham Réunion school concerts on October 5, 6, and 8, open to all: 3 €.
The festival accepts the Pass Culture, Pass Région, and the La Boge scheme.
Online ticketing available from September 2, 2026, at billetterie.festik.net/rhinofestival. Reservations by phone at 07 57 50 50 91, by email at [email protected], or at the festival office (château du Jarez, 11 rue Benoît-Oriol, 42400 Saint-Chamond), open Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM from September 2 to October 14, 2026. Also available at town halls and partner venues, the Saint-Étienne Métropole tourist office (04 77 49 39 00), the Fnac network, and at concert venues subject to availability.
Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable. Seating is unassigned, except for the October 16 concert at the Ellipse facilities, which is standing room only.
Practical information — Rhino Jazz(s)
Practical Information
Access
The festival headquarters are located at the Château du Jarez, 11 rue Benoît Oriol, 42400 Saint-Chamond. Concerts take place in around thirty different towns across the Loire and Rhône departments.
- By car: Saint-Chamond is accessible via the A47 motorway (Lyon – Saint-Étienne), taking the Saint-Chamond exit. Concert venues generally have nearby parking available.
- By train: Saint-Chamond station is reachable by TER train from Lyon Part-Dieu in 40 minutes or from Saint-Étienne in 10 minutes.
Tickets and Pricing
Ticket prices vary depending on the specific concert and venue. Most tickets are priced at €15 for concessions and €20 for standard admission.
- Grand pass: €110 for your choice of 10 concerts, excluding events not managed by the festival's own box office.
- Pass Rhino: Concession rates apply when purchasing 3 or more concerts.
- Concessions: Available for people with disabilities, job seekers, students, and those under 18 with valid ID, as well as holders of the Pass'Région Jeune and Pass'Région Sénior.
- Free entry: Children under 12, excluding concerts outside the Rhino ticketing system.
The festival accepts the Pass Culture, Pass Région, and La Boge scheme.
Box Office
Tickets are available online at billetterie.festik.net/rhinofestival and via the official website rhinojazz.com. You can also purchase tickets at the festival office, local town halls, partner venues, the Saint-Étienne Métropole tourist office (04 77 49 39 00), and the Fnac network.
Contact
Rhino Jazz(s) Festival, Château du Jarez, 11 rue Benoît Oriol, 42400 Saint-Chamond.
Tel: 04 77 19 59 15
Box office: [email protected], tel: 07 57 50 50 91
Rhino Jazz(s): Over Forty-Five Years of Jazz in the Loire
Since 1979, the Rhino Jazz(s) Festival has consistently created a buzz in the world of jazz music. Founded in Saint-Chamond, in the Loire department, it has become, over the decades, a privileged partner for over thirty towns spread across three departments: Loire, Rhône, and Isère. This itinerant nature is the very DNA of the festival, which takes over diverse venues such as small hundred-seat churches, municipal halls, castles, cinematheques, and the Saint-Étienne Opera House.
The Rhinoceros, Iconic Mascot
The festival's symbol—the rhinoceros—was born in 1990 during an exhibition by Saint-Étienne artist Jacques Barry, who filled the Jean-Dasté hall with his rhinoceros paintings. From 1991 onwards, the animal became the festival's official mascot, appearing each year in large format on 4x3 meter posters between Saint-Étienne and Lyon, heralding the upcoming festival.
A Program Balancing Discoveries and Big Names
Under the artistic direction of Ludovic Chazalon, Rhino Jazz(s) continues its tradition of mixing established stars with emerging talents. Over the years, the festival has hosted legends such as Paolo Conte, Michel Petrucciani, Stéphane Grappelli, Salif Keita, Ray Lema, Chucho Valdés, and Ibrahim Maalouf. The programming covers a wide spectrum: contemporary jazz, blues, soul, gospel, R&B, world music, gypsy jazz, afrobeat, and Creole music.
Commitment to Youth and Territories
Each year, the festival reaches approximately 3,000 children through dedicated concerts and educational workshops. This educational dimension, combined with its itinerant nature across rural and urban areas, makes Rhino Jazz(s) a key player in cultural democratization in the Loire region.
The Collégiale Notre-Dame de Saint-Chamond
Among the festival's emblematic venues is the Collégiale Notre-Dame de Saint-Chamond, a recently restored former church. During the European Heritage Days, it hosts an exhibition retracing the festival's history, as well as musical entertainment throughout the event.
International Reach
As a member of the Europe Jazz Network, Rhino Jazz(s) welcomes artists from all continents: USA, Canada, Africa, Japan, Denmark, Israel, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, and many others. It is supported by the Department of Loire, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, Saint-Étienne Métropole, and the city of Saint-Chamond.
Where does it take place — Rhino Jazz(s)
Rhino Jazz(s) in brief
History of Rhino Jazz(s)
Edition 2025 Sep 2025Other festivals near Saint-Chamond
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