Pauline Melka and Pierre Chassé, a young couple who have lived in the Ubaye valley for three years, are passionate about jazz but have not had the chance to experience the Enfants du Jazz, the festival which was organized in July at the Parc de La Fir forest. No matter, with the help of friends and other enthusiasts, they decided to relaunch a festival dedicated to this music which takes root in the South of the United States with the L’Ubaye Jazz festival.
“We created the association L’Ubaye gives the tempo and scheduled the festival for Sunday August 4. For this first edition, it will take place over a single day, we will see later if it takes place over two days, a weekend“, begins Pierre Chassé, guitarist who was introduced to jazz.
The Sapinière park, central place for lives
He also took saxophone lessons with Nicolas Dejean, professor at the Ubaye artistic school. “He will be on the festival bill with his group“, further specifies Pierre Chassé.
“This first edition will take place from 3 p.m. to midnight, at La Sapinière park which the Barcelonnette town hall makes available to us. The idea is to create an intergenerational meeting by offering workshops in the afternoon then concerts from 6 p.m.“, continues Pauline Melka.
The latter was also part of a rock group and was trained in musical comedies and joined Marie Burbaud’s singing class at the Ubaye artistic school. “The festival will be enhanced with introductions to percussion as well as jazz dance with Yvette Le Goff, a state dance graduate, who should also give a conference on the History of dance.”
Three headliners
Pierre and Pauline’s objective is to create programming that suits parents and children. On the concert bill starting at 6 p.m., festival-goers will be able to enjoy Mamie Bomayé, Nicolas Dejean’s group. This explosive and energetic trio, inspired by the British jazz group Sons of Kemet, promises a crazy moment, between hypnotic groove, captivating melodies and rhythms with African influences. From 8:30 p.m., place at PilTrio.
Armed with a double bass, drums and saxophone, this group draws inspiration from giants like Sonny Rollins and Joshua Redman to offer an experience where improvisation reigns supreme. With Andrea Caparros Quartet and its sung jazz, it’s time for the perfect harmony between jazz and the subtleties of Brazilian music, drawing inspiration from legends like Antonio Carlos Jobim and Tania Maria.
A great program that needs broad support, which pushed the organizers to launch a crowdfunding campaign.
Crowdfunding of L’Ubaye Jazz festival on helloasso.com. Entrance at €10 and €5 for under 12s, free for under 3s.
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