Festivals in Holland.
Here you will find the Biggest and one of the best Jazz Festivals in Europe.
It's called The Northsea Jazz Festival. One of Europes most important Jazz festival's. I have never seen a festival so well organized in my life. I have work with a lot of festivals but this one here is the best. They have about 135 musical groups over a 3 to 4 day span.
This festival here is a well oil machine if I have ever seen one before. I have attended this festival about 6 times in my life and ever time it's the same as far as organization is concern. The Northsea Jazz festival know there stuff.
So if you ever attend this festival, get ready to enjoy yourself . Now don't be surprise if you are at a concert and you see about half the people from the concert leave. It's only people going to another concert that's all. Their are so many to choose from, that people will leave in order to catch another concert.
The concerts are held in this very large office building. There are concerts in ever nook and cranny of this builing,even on top of the building(The Roof) where they have a tent on top that they give concerts in too. It's the Potpourri of jazz here. You will find everyone that plays jazz and some that don't going to this festival.
If you are interested in going to this festival, here is the link:
http://www.northseajazz.nl/index.aspIt's in the City called the Hague. The festival starts on July the 8th.9th& the 10th. So don't miss out on this festival. At this time I don't know the line-up but take my word it will be a great line-up.
I was trying to remember the name of the restuarant for you that we ate at. It was a great Chinese restaurant. I have never in my life had a oyster so big and good before, and the duck was something to die for.. I do remember it was close to Hotel Europe,which is not to far from the Festival site. I would also like to say that we (The group that I was working with at the time) made this restaurant popular we would always brag about how good the sea food was there. Now it is one of the main attractions for eating out, and to think I didn't get a dime for that advertisment.(Go figure)
The most popular hotel for the festival is The Hotel Belair. This is the hotel where most of the musician stay.( If only these walls could talk). I have heard of some stories coming from that Hotel that would make your teeth grit. (and put a smile on your face). So make your reservation fast for this hotel, the hotel maybe already booked!
Festivals of Switzerland
The beautiful place called Switzerland. If you ever go there please do me a favor and take the train. This place will take your breath away. With it's snow cap mountian's( The Alp's) it's one view that I think everyone should view at least one time in their life. Switzerland is truly a Beautiful place.
They have two major Jazz festivals. One is called the
Estiva Festival http://www.estivaljazz.ch which is haled in Logano, Switzerland which is on the border of Italy. We refer to it as (Switaly). They hold the festival in the Piazza . Their are many shops to get you going in this town. Remember one thing....and that's Switzerland are famous for Watches so don't go over-broad when you see all that Switzerland has to offer. It's a great place to shop. Not only that it is next to Lake Como which is a beauty by itself.
If you are ever thinking about visiting Switzerland I hope that you go to Lugano it's only 90 km from
Milan Malpensa airportNow let's not forget about the Montreux Jazz festival. This is one of the most important festivals in Europe too. The Montreux Jazz festival has a long history with jazz also. Please visit their website at
http://www.montreuxjazz.com/ and see for yourself. The festival starts on July 1st amd ends on the 16th of July. The line-up is alway's excellent!
This is a great festival also. It's the Willisau Jazz fest which takes place in the town of Mohren Willisau, Lucerne Valley. I can remember when this festival first started I was about 18 years old (WOW) That was about %$#* Years ago. Well anyway, The festival started out in a Barn house I can remember playing under the stage before the concert would start. When I think about it, it was the first festival for Willisau.(I must be getting old)
This Festival has come a long way from where it was and has made a name for itself as one of the better festival in Switzerland. The festival has a small town charm that makes it one of the better festivals. If you like how this sounds then by all means click on the link to see more.
http://www.jazzwillisau.ch/
Festivals in Spain.
Spain! Spain! Spain!
This is the only Country I know where the people can stay up till 5:AM in the morning and can still go to work like nothing never happen the night before.
This is truly a party Country, and what I mean by this, the whole Country parties all the time in all parts of Spain... You will live the real Festa in Spain. The party doesn't start till 1:AM and last until6 or 8:AM in the morning. Then after that the people they go to work! I never could understand this so I figure it must be in the blood of the Spainish people. Well anyway they are a bunch of happy people and I love them for that reason.
If you would like to visit Spain, by all means go and check out the San Sebastian Jazz Festival.
They have geart restaurants to dine in and their's plenty to do. They also have Casino's in the City, so the night life is exciting!
Click here
http://www.jazzaldia.com For English click on the link that says English. It's at the bottom of the page to the right.
Festivals in Germany.
Germany also has some wonderful festivals all year round. You will find your better festival in the Fall months though. Their's nothing like going to a german festival and having a nice tall Wiesin Beer(Thats rice beer for the people that don't know).
Germany has great out-door festivals. The air is crisp and clean and the mood is a festive one for everyone to enjoy. The german's love to drink and have fun. So with that said let's move on to their festive festivals.
When you go to this festival make sure that you have your mud boots on. This festival here is a great music festivel to attend, but if it starts to rain make sure you're well equiped. The ground will turn into a muddy mess and you will be in for a great mud fest.
But I guess thats part of the show. Click here
http://www.moers-festival.comThis is a wonderful Jazz festival also very clean and organized. For a great experience of jazz music you will love this festival. Go here to see...
http://www.leverkusener-jazztage.deThis is another fine Jazz festival to attend. Just remember to bring plenty of joy with you when you attend. Click here
http://www.jazz-ost-west.deNow let me remind you that I'm only telling you about the festivals that I have attended so that you can have a better understanding of each festival.
Festivals in Italy.
MALTA JAZZ FESTIVAL takes place on the third weekend in July every year.
Their known as one of the most exciting venues on the jazz circuit. Staged below the bastions of the Islands' capital, the 16th century city of Valletta, and by the waters of Grand harbor, Malta Jazz certainly has a SPECTACULAR LOCATION
http://www.maltajazzfest.com/The Umbria jazz festivals is one of Italy's most important Jazz festivals. It's set in a medieval, town of Parugia,Umbria. The setting is wonderful, one of the most beautiful village in Italy. You can walk around the Village and take snapshots of the beautiful shops they have to offer and the great church's they have too.
They also have some of the best Restaurant's in the region. At the festival you'll find some of the best Jazz and Blues musicians on the planet coming to perform at this festival.
They have shuttle buses that will take you to and from the concert area. The concerts are all over the Village so you may have to walk to some of the concerts They have hotels in town and out side of town which isn't so far, so it makes your commute very easy. You will be able to find all of your needs on their website.
Here is the link.
http://www.umbriajazz.com/If you like Italy you will love the Southern Adriatic side of Italy(Roccella,Ionica). They have a festival that is absolutly spendid. You can soak-up as much sun as a beach bum here. Here you will find the Rocella Jazz festival.
http://www.roccellajazz.net/ With this festival you will find some of Italy's best Jazz performers. This festival is truly a delite to attend, not only that you will also enjoy the night life here even if you don't speak the language. After all it is Italy and you will have fun. I would like to give you a Hotel suggestion these Hotels are always beautiful no matter where you go. They are the perfect Vacation Hotels, exspecially if you and someone special are attending. Just take a look at this website and tell me if you like what you see. Click the link
http://www.miramarehotel.biz/The Fano Jazz festival
http://www.fanojazzclub.org/is a great place to go and have some fun in the sun. It's called Fano Jazz by the sea festival. The City which is also called Fano(Provance of Pesaro,Adriatic sea) is one of those Cities that will take your bearth away. With it's seaside Hotel's and it's small town feel, you will love this place. If and when you do decide to take your next vacation, do my a favor and go to this city.
There is a restaurant called La Quinta that only serves fish. Let me tell you something, you will go bananas for this restuarant. The scene is one straight out of an Italian movie, there is the owner which is about 80ish that takes your receipt after your lunch. It may take her a few minutes to get your money right, but you can believe me that it will be right, But it's all part of the scene and I wouldn't change a thing. Anyway when you go to the restaurant make sure that you get there early enough because the place fulls up fast for lunch. (between Noon and 12:30PM is good)
As a matter of fact the restuarant is right by the port,thats right the fish comes from the fishing boat's right to your plate. It can't get any fresher then that. The fish is still moving when she puts it on your plate, Now thats fresh. But there are many restuarants there to choose from and I mean plenty. They also have chineses restuarants if you can't deal with the fish or pasta, they also have great Hotels as well. Most of the hotel's are on the Lido which stands for seaside or beach front. Where I stayed was about a block from the sea and it was called Hotel Europa! and Hotel Elizabeth ll which is right on the beach Very beautiful Hotels. I think I lived more in the lobby then in my room. I have also stayed at varias Hotels through out the City. To me they are all beautiful exspecially when their by the sea!
This City is also a great place to shop, you can really get your shop on here. They have a early morning market to die for. You must go early to get the bargens if you know what I mean. The market has this great antique section that has old record player's from the 30's and 40's you know the ones with the megaphone on it that you can't find anymore. It's just a potpourri of nastilga there. So get your wallet ready for some spending.
If your not into antiques, and prefer high fashion then you are in the right place for high fashion. The City offers you some of the best clothing shops around, and just to get your spirits moving, the City Rimini is only a half hours drive from Fano. If you don't know about Rimini, it's the next best thing after Ibiza ok. You can dance the night away in this City.
Now let's talk about the Sardegna Festival which takes place in November in Cagliari. It's called the European Jazz Expo hosted by
Jazz in Sardegna. What a breath of fresh air here. This festival is something special to me, It had all the trimmings of a great festival. They showcased a lot of the Jazz musicians from Sardegna. They had Antonello Salis ( Piano) Paolo Fresu (Trumpet) Elena Ledda. The Amercan act's where Charles Lloyd D.D Bridgewater, Randy Weston, Don Moye and a few more acts.
This festival by far is one of the best up and coming festval to look out for!
Jazz Festival's.
If you have ever been to a Jazz Festival then you will love this blog. If you have never been to a Jazz Festival then you will learn a lot from this blog.
I think that it's time that we as a culture take back the the intelligent waves of the mind and stop the systematic bombarment of the mind with this so called music of today. Don't get me wrong I like some of the music of today as long as it is expanding the mind. Their are some great artist of today just like it has been through out history.
But it comes a time when you notice that the music is going in the wrong direction and our young are being fed this garbage in access. Not only that it tells in a society where that society is coming from.
I could go on and on about this subject ,but what I'm here for is to tell you about some great festivals and where you can find them.
There are some great Hot Spots for you to go on Vacation or just go to listen to some great music. Not only that I've been to over 200 Festivals maybe more, I have to take a look at my T-shirt collection then I would be able to tell you exactly.
Well anyway here we go:
If you are in France These are some of the Festival you can attend. France has over 200 Festivals in the Summer I don't know all of them but their are many to choose from. Here are just a few festivals in different region's you can visit.
The Vienne Festival is set in a Amphitheater which is over a 1000 years old. So you could image how that sounds. Perfect acoustics you wont find a better amphitheater then this in France. I have attended this Festival 5 times in my life and have enjoyed every moment of it.
Here is the link:
http://www.jazzavienne.com The Festival starts June, 30th till July, 13th.
If you are ever in the Midi-Pyrenees Region, their is a City called Souillac and in July they have a beautiful Jazz festival there. It's the Souillac Jazz festival. Here is the link
http://www.souillacenjazz.netThis City is very special. It is in the region where you will find the World Famous Foie Gras. For the people that don't know of Foie Gras,It's Goose or Duck Liver. You can have it Poch or it comes in the form of Pate. (I think the region maybe Perigord?)
It's a Culinary experience that you will enjoy! If you ever do have a chance to enjoy this dish ,please by all means order a bottle of (Sauternes) with your Foie Gras. It is a very sweet wine that will compliment your foie Gras. This is a region for all these culinary extravagant pleasures. Oh France, oh La La!
The
NICE JAZZ FEST, one of three major jazz events in Europe with Montreux and The Hague, draws more than 45,000 spectators every summer with its 500 plus musicians, 8 days, 75 concerts and 120 hours of magic and music! Every night from 7 pm to midnight, 3 stages present a prestigious array of world-famous artists.
