The Montreux Jazz Festival archives were officially declared part of the UNESCO Memory of the World collection back in 2013. That should tell you all that you need to know about the kind of cultural value they offer. Since 1967, the event has acted as a cradle for great musical moments, each one giving off a quality of timelessness as well as feeling fixed to its own particular period. While it can sometimes feel difficult to pin-point and identify these moments whilst they are happening, the vast visual history on offer – through filmed concerts – allows us to revisit and refresh what has since past into collective memory.
In the festival’s 40th anniversary year, both Ménard and Simard are retiring from active roles in rallying the party. Qwest TV spoke with Ménard about the festival’s history, his role as artistic director and what his highlights were.
As Guest of the month, Youssou Ndour, the "king of mbalax," has selected his favorite programs for you, all available on Qwest TV!
Immerse yourself in the new world contained within Flamagra, the latest album from highly acclaimed Californian producer Flying Lotus, released 5 years after You're Dead!
ECM Records didn't put out the daring first albums of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, but the German label did produce some of that exciting and enduring band's best developed and tightest programs.
Pi Recordings celebrates releases the 50th anniversary of the Art Ensemble of Chicago by releasing the double album We Are on The Edge!
Remind Me: The Classic Elektra Recordings 1978-1984 will include all of her chart hits, DJ favorites and sample sources. It has been remastered by The Carvery from the original tapes.
On Finding Gabriel (Nonesuch), which dropped in May, Mehldau, who turns forty-nine in August, eschews the acoustic landscape and the written word for musical ruminations on Old Testament prophecy and wisdom.
By reediting Demos 1973-75 and Águia Não Come Mosca, Far Out Recordings and Mr Bongo celebrates jazz-funk brazilian band Azymuth and the cult status they have achieved.
With the release of his album Star People Nation on May 17, American trumpeter Theo Croker spoke to us about his unexpected collaboration with Roy Hargrove, his grandfather – the trumpeter Doc Cheatham – and the lessons he received by telephone from Wynton Marsalis, Clarke Terry, Al Grey and Baden Powell ...
