Jazz club in Paris Region

You’d be forgiven for thinking the jazz sound came straight from New York to Paris. In fact, it stopped at other French cities before settling in the capital. This style of music came to France with the first ever American soldiers to set foot on French soils. When they arrived, in 1917 during the Great War, they were not alone. They brought with them a musical genre never before heard in France, the jazz forerunner, ragtime. The 369th infantry regiment had within its midst a group of musicians called the Harlem Hellfighters, who played saxophone, trumpet and drums. On every stop at a station, they performed to a French audience who were unfamiliar with this new sound.

The train station that became a concert venue on 12 February 1918. The Harlem Hellfighters delivered their very first official European performance at the Graslin, a bar in Nantes. So why Nantes and not Paris? A string of chance events. In 1918, first lieutenant James Reese Europe, nicknamed the king of jazz in the United States and head of the Harlem Hellfighters, arrived with his group in Brest on their way to Saint-Nazaire. On 15 February, Paul Bellamy, who was Mayor of Nantes, invited them to perform at a charity evening alongside other orchestras and juggling artists. Between Nantes station and the theatre, their performance left its mark on the local residents.

Jazz was destined to arrive in the French capital. It took a while, but it is now well and truly established and can be heard at more than 130 clubs, bars and other jazz concert venues. The Caveau de la Huchette, which had existed on Rue de la Huchette for over 5 centuries, decided in 1946 to entrust its musical programme to the group of jazzmen. Now famous for its appearance in La La Land, the film by Damien Chazelle, the jazz club has also starred in other productions such as Yves Saint Laurent and Red Kiss. Above all, it has hosted great jazz artists such as Memphis Slim, Sacha Distel and Lionel Hampton.

In the words of Nina Simone, “Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, it’s a way of being, a way of thinking”. You might hear a few jazz tunes on World Music Day but, more importantly, UNESCO has created World Jazz Day. The aim of this celebration of jazz is to highlight its benefits as an educational tool and generate greater empathy, dialogue and cooperation between nations. On this occasion, multiple governments, organisations, institutions and individual citizens combine their efforts to promote jazz music. They emphasise the key role it can play in building more inclusive societies.

Jazz has always been closely linked to the struggles for human dignity, democracy and civil rights. It has supported and inspired efforts to combat discrimination and racism. To UNESCO, it is a tool for peace. Which is why it was decided at the UNESCO General Conference held in November 2011 to declare 30 April ‘World Jazz Day’.

While New Orleans remains the indisputable capital of jazz, rumour has it that Paris comes a close second. With 130 jazz clubs to its name, Paris Region certainly pays a worthy tribute to this style of music that generates a mix of joy and the blues. Paris Region has all the streets, associations and artists required to get you in the swing. Nowadays, it is a jazz pilgrimage destination that draws enthusiasts from across the world.

Every self-respecting jazz fan has walked up Rue des Lombards. Extending between Châtelet and Les Halles in Paris, it is world famous for its 3 legendary jazz clubs. Every evening, all year round, you can attend unique concerts in a New-York atmosphere.

During the 1940s, New York’s 52nd Street was the beating heart of the jazz world, packed with legendary clubs such as Jimmy Ryan’s, 3 Deuces, Onyx, Hickory House and Kelly’s Stable. Which explains how the Parisian street, Rue des Lombards, got its nickname, the ‘52nd Street of Paris’.

Be it the Sunset - Sunside, the Baisé Salé or the Duc des Lombards, each has its own atmosphere, but they all contribute to making this street the beating heart of jazz in Paris Region.

If you’re into swing, groove and the sound of the sax, the Paris Jazz Club association is your best friend. Established in 2006, it lists many of the jazz clubs in Paris Region and the rest of France. All the latest jazzy news, about concerts, festivals and other events, can be found on the website and in the events calendar available for download. You can even sign up for membership of the association and hence benefit from free concerts, discounts and many other advantages.

Paris has always been a must for the legends of jazz. Since the 1920s, the French capital has hosted the genre’s top musicians, drawn here by the city’s unique artistic atmosphere and enthusiastic audience. Iconic figures like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis and John Coltrane have impassioned the stages of Paris with their memorable performances.

The New Morning is a perfect example. This legendary concert hall has seen the likes of the very best. On 16 April 1981, Art Blakey, the legendary drummer, accompanied by his group, the Jazz Messengers, were here for the opening of this vast loft venue. It quickly became a world-famous shrine to black and mixed-race music. With 444 seats, this club is thought to be the biggest of its kind in the world. Its stage has been graced by Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie and other musical geniuses, not forgetting the singer and pianist, Nina Simone. The tradition is still very much alive today, although the venue now puts on a broader programme that includes a variety of current musical styles ranging from funk and rap to rock and reggae.

Jazz takes on many forms in Paris Region, from clubs at stations to bars that live and breathe the blues, not to mention the outdoor venues that really get you into the groove. The only rule here is that you have to swing!

For an evening that gives both your tastebuds and ears a treat, try Le Son de la Terre. This barge offers a whole culinary experience that goes well with the live jazz music. Embark for a voyage through taste and sound. The dishes are prepared from local, seasonal ingredients and taste even better with the saxophone and piano accompaniment. The showboat is going international with artists like Landry+, the duo from Benin, Dahlia Dumont from New York, and the French saxophonist, Pierre Bertrand. Enjoy your meal!

Paris Region is home to a number of legendary clubs and bars where jazz rules. Among them, the Jazz Club Étoile has a subdued atmosphere and live concerts that set it apart from the rest. Housed in the prestigious Méridien Etoile hotel, this club attracts world-famous artists and was one of the first to bring the stars of blues and soul music to France, including the likes of BB King and Fats Domino. This is the perfect place to sip at a cocktail or have a bite to eat while listening to good music.

Another iconic venue is La Gare - Le Gore, which you’ll find in an old station on the Petite Ceinture railway belt. This is truly a jazz mecca. This club’s industrial decor and outstanding acoustics promise an intense musical experience that oozes with authenticity. From 9pm, a succession of jazz artists take it in turns to resonate between the walls as you soak up the feel-good vibe. And if you’re still standing by midnight, head for the basement to enjoy a completely different musical genre, electro.

Cocktail in hand, enjoy a pleasant evening at the Baiser Salé. Located on the famous Rue des Lombards, this bar has nothing to envy of its New York counterparts. It is well known for its frenzied jamming sessions and offers a mix of fusion and African jazz sounds.

Pour cIf you prefer to see live performances, a number of venues in Paris Region organise concerts you won’t want to miss. La Dynamo de Banlieues Bleues in Pantin is a flagship venue for fans of contemporary and avant-garde jazz. This dynamic concert hall offers an eclectic programme including famous festivals like Banlieues Bleues that share the spotlight between emerging talents and well-known artists.

Les Instants Chavirés, in Montreuil, is another key venue for live jazz music. Renowned for its bold, avant-garde programme, it hosts innovating, often experimental performances that attract an audience in search of brand new sounds.