Antibe’s venerable Jazz à Juan festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. For the occasion, the local authorities have increased the budget and brought in Jean-René Palacio of SAMES (Monte Carlo) to give the festival a boost. He intends to increase the number of locations, and promises a greater cross between genres (with notably the arrival of electronic music). [...]

The British press is covering the story of Victoria Hart, an 18 year-old waitress who was chosen to sing at a George Clooney event at Cannes this year. Until recently, she was working at a London club that employs singing waitresses, but is now apparently looking at a number of record contracts. Hello magazine claims one of the deals is [...]

It’s easy to get lost in the maze of concerts and events. Here is a short list of things I’d recommend. On Monday night at 6.30, I’d go for the Pascal Schumacher Quartet at the Hotel Majestic. Schumacher plays a sassy vibraphone that is “lyrical, stylish and yet still cool”, according to Music-Wire. Check them here: Later on Monday night, [...]

Originally posted Dec 7, 2005. This year’s host for the opening party at Midem is Finland. If you’re a little fuzzy on your musical geography, think Värttinä (yes, I checked the spelling), The Rasmus and Nightwish. According to the mini-site they have just unveiled, Finland will be represented by 50 companies in 2006 – the double of previous years. This [...]