Rhino Jazz(s) Festival

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.