Saint-Benoît Swing Festival

Saint-Benoît Swing: Festive Jazz at the Gates of Poitiers

Since 2003, the Saint-Benoît Swing Festival has established itself as one of the major events for festive jazz in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Every last weekend of September, the La Hune hall in Saint-Benoît, near Poitiers, vibrates to the rhythm of swing, New Orleans jazz, manouche, blues, and gospel. This human-sized festival has won over a loyal audience thanks to its demanding programming and its resolutely warm atmosphere.

Three Evenings of Swing and Jazz in All Its Forms

The festival unfolds over three evenings, from Thursday to Saturday, with two concerts per evening starting at 8:30 PM. The program celebrates the full richness of festive jazz: from flamboyant big bands to intimate quartets, including boogie-woogie, soul, and funk. Lindy Hop initiations complete the experience by inviting the public to dance. Over more than twenty editions, the festival has hosted renowned artists such as Robin McKelle, Pink Turtle, Les Haricots Rouges, legendary ambassadors of New Orleans jazz since 1963, Nirek Mokar, Malo Mazurié, and Costel Nitescu.

A Cultural Gem in the Heart of Saint-Benoît

The performance hall La Hune, located at avenue du Champ de la Caille, offers an ideal setting for this festival. With its refined acoustics and friendly capacity, it allows for a rare closeness between musicians and the audience. Situated just three kilometers from the center of Poitiers, La Hune is easily accessible and has nearby parking. The festival is driven by the association Saint-Benoît Swing and supported by the municipality, with passionate volunteers contributing to the organization of this event that has become a highlight of the cultural season in Vienne.

Beyond the Festival: Gospel at La Hune

The Saint-Benoît Swing association extends the musical adventure throughout the year with its annual gospel concert held in the spring at La Hune, demonstrating the deep roots of this musical passion in the cultural life of the town. This double event makes Saint-Benoît a vibrant hub for jazz and African-American music in the Vienne department.