Starting Blocks

The musical springboard of Jazz à Tours

Every year in June, Le Temps Machine in Joué-lès-Tours hosts Starting Blocks, the festival that highlights the work of students and workshops from Jazz à Tours, a leading school for contemporary and improvised music in the Centre-Val de Loire region. For eight days of free concerts, over 250 musicians present the results of a year or more of work.

Over 250 musicians on stage

Each edition, Starting Blocks brings together around 28 workshops and over 160 musicians who perform in groups of all styles:

• Jazz in all its variations (bebop, swing, contemporary jazz)
• Rock and amplified music
• Funk and groove
• Contemporary and experimental music

A rich and varied repertoire

The Starting Blocks concerts reflect the richness of musical influences of the Jazz à Tours students. From covers of standards to original creations, the groups offer an eclectic repertoire that testifies to the vitality of the emerging musical scene in Tours.

Le Temps Machine: a venue for contemporary music

The festival takes place at Le Temps Machine, a contemporary music venue located at Parvis Miles Davis in Joué-lès-Tours. This leading cultural facility offers professional technical conditions that allow young musicians to perform in optimal conditions.

Free and accessible evenings

All Starting Blocks concerts are free and without reservation. Evenings start at 7:30 PM, allowing families, friends, and music lovers to come and support the musicians in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Jazz à Tours: a school of excellence

Jazz à Tours is a music school specializing in jazz and improvised music, recognized for the quality of its teaching. The school offers amateur and professional training, supporting musicians in their artistic development. Starting Blocks is the highlight of the year, offering students a professional and rewarding stage experience.