Vimeu Jazz Summer

Vimeu Jazz Summer: Jazz set free in the Picardy countryside

Since its inception, Vimeu Jazz Summer has established itself as one of the essential musical highlights of the summer in the Somme. Every year, this free jazz festival takes over the grounds of the Manoir de Miannay, an elegant historic residence located in the heart of the Vimeu, a region of Picardy stretching between the Bresle valley and the Baie de Somme. The event draws an ever-growing audience, with the latest edition attracting over 1,200 spectators.

Manoir de Miannay: A perfect setting for jazz

The Manoir de Miannay, located on Rue du Manoir, provides an exceptional backdrop for an open-air music festival. Its wooded park, shaded lawns, and distinctive architecture create an atmosphere that is both elegant and relaxed, perfectly suited to the spirit of jazz. The stages are set up within the park, allowing spectators to settle in freely on the grass, on chairs, or standing, as close to the musicians as they like.

An eclectic and generous programme

The Vimeu Jazz Summer programme embraces every facet of jazz and its related genres. Each edition features around ten bands performing over two days, from Saturday afternoon to late Sunday afternoon. Classic jazz sits alongside gypsy jazz, swing meets funk and soul, while salsa, Balkan sounds, and vocal jazz further enrich the musical palette. Regional artists, groups from all over France, and internationally renowned musicians cross paths here year after year.

Notable acts from recent editions include The Buttshakers with their Lyonnais soul, the jazz-funk of Chlorine Free, the Hammond organ sounds of the Bruno Micheli Organ Trio, as well as Catel & Hérichon for contemporary jazz, SVT for jazz-funk fusion, Jazzvé for eclectic jazz, Pata Negra for salsa, Balkanard for Balkan jazz, Salsetcho for gypsy jazz, Bloom for vocal jazz, and Hot Lovers for swing brass band music. This diversity makes Vimeu Jazz Summer a festival accessible to everyone, from jazz purists to those simply looking for great music and a friendly atmosphere.

An event supported by the local community

Vimeu Jazz Summer is one of the two largest cultural events organised annually by the Communauté de Communes du Vimeu, demonstrating the local authorities' commitment to culture in rural areas. The festival benefits from the involvement of the Miannay festival committee and the Le Tambour Major association, who manage the on-site catering and refreshments.

The festival's free admission is a deliberate choice: it allows all audiences, without distinction, to enjoy a high-quality programme in a charming, rural setting. In this way, Vimeu Jazz Summer contributes to the tourism appeal of this rural region, located just a stone's throw from the Picardy coast and the Baie de Somme.