— The festival
Founded in 2001, the Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris is the story of three friends —Donatienne Hantin, Frédéric Charbaut, and Joël Leroy— who, after evenings spent discussing and dining while putting the (music) world to rights over a few good bottles of wine (for real!!), finally set out to realize their shared dream: to organize a jazz festival in Paris.
What better place than its European birthplace to bring it to life and watch it grow: the legendary neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a hub of culture, music, and jazz.
For over 25 years, the Festival Jazz à Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris has been presenting unique concerts in exceptional venues. It is one of the major jazz events in the heart of Paris’s cultural scene (see below for the festival’s commitments and a list of all the artists who have performed there).
THE HEART OF THE FESTIVAL
Donatienne HANTIN Co-founder and Co-director, Production Director
Frédéric CHARBAUT Co-founder and Co-director, Artistic Director
Raphaëlle LÉPINEUX Grants Manager, Administration, VSST Liaison
Lucie HENNEBERT Sponsorship and Philanthropy Manager
Géraldine SANTIN Communications, Publishing, and Digital Manager
Loanne DA CRUZ & Mélanie KERMEL Ticketing Manager
Élisa PALACIN Festival-Goer Experience Manager
Joa SCETBON Cultural Programs Manager
Julie URBAIN Operations Manager
Sophia SAHL Assistant to the Operations Manager
Sophie LOUVET Press Officer
Pascal BOUCLIER Photographer
Virginie SALVANEZ Graphic Designer
Exceptional concerts, featuring unprecedented collaborations between artists, discoveries of new talents,
and unforgettable favorites.
UNIQUE CONCERTS
– Unprecedented lineups, original creations, and one-of-a-kind collaborations
– Album previews and releases
– Discoveries of young talent and standout performances
EXCEPTIONAL VENUES
Venues representing the architectural, historical, or intellectual heritage of central Paris, which exclusively host jazz performances as part of the festival and, in some cases, open their doors to the public for this occasion: the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Maison de l’Océan, the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe, the Church of Saint-Sulpice, the Monnaie de Paris, the Alliance Française Theater, the Couvent des Cordeliers…
ARTISTS WHO HAVE PERFORMED THERE, INCLUDING FRENCH AND INTERNATIONAL HEADLINERS AND EMERGING TALENTS
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sam Moore, Brad Mehldau, premier concert en France de Norah Jones, Youn Sun Nah, Manu Katché, Manu Dibango, Michel Legrand, Lisa Simone, Michel Portal, Yaron Herman, Matthieu Chedid, Paolo Fresu, Erik Truffaz, Eliane Elias, Kenny Barron, Kurt Elling, Kyle Eastwood, Lucky Peterson, Shai Maestro (premier Festival en France), Ibrahim Maalouf (premier concert dans un festival de jazz en 4tet), André Manoukian, Martial Solal, China Moses, Daniel Humair, Jacky Terrasson, Richard Galliano, Nik Bärtsch, Ben l’Oncle Soul, Eric Bibb, Raphaël Gualazzi, Roberto Fonseca, Mélanie de Biasio, Lars Danielsson, Marion Rampal, Biréli Lagrène, Émile Parisien, Shani Diluka, Rhoda Scott, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefert Choplin (Titulaire Grandes orgues de St Sulpice), Stacy Kent, Kareen Guiock Thuram, Fred Hersch, Quatuor Ébène, Leïla Olivesi, Laurent Cugny, L’Antidote, André Ceccarelli, Anne Pacéo, Stefano di Battista, Ambrose Akinmusire, Robin McKelle, Jean-Jacques Milteau, Monty Alexander, Didier Lockwood…
OUR FIRST COMMITMENT: to defend artistic creation in Jazz!
JAZZ AS A SOCIAL BOND AND EDUCATIONAL STIMULUS
Jazz in Elementary School
Jazz in Middle School
Jazz in High School
Jazz in Prison
Grand Swing Ball
Talks by artists about their work and creative process
JAZZ AS A SOCIAL COMMITMENT
A festival that respects the role of women (one-third of the performers on stage are women)
A festival committed to preventing sexual and gender-based violence
A festival committed to environmental responsibility
Learn more about the festival’s commitments here
OUR MOTTO: Freedom, tolerance, sharing.