The 37th edition of the world's most astonishing jazz festival opened Monday evening with a superb program featuring the blues of Lucky Peterson and the guitar of Joe Satriani. The rest of the program is equally enticing, with two exceptional duos on Tuesday: saxophonist Wayne Shorter and piano player Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea and legendary bassist Stanley Clarke. Following will be Ibrahim Maalouf, an evening featuring Omar Sosa and the Buena Vista Social Club in their "Adios Tour," Didier Lockwood celebrating his 40-year career in Marciac with Daryll Hall and Manu Katché, Roberto Fonseca, Ahmad Jamal, Stacey Kent, Jamie Cullum, Thomas Dutronc inviting Bireli Lagrene on guitar, Avishai Cohen, the superb voice of Gregory Porter, the reggae of Jimmy Cliff, not forgetting the fabulous Dee Dee Bridgewater and the ever-faithful Wynton Marsalis, who will offer us a concert with Richard Galliano, ranging from Billie Holiday to Edith Piaf. For three weeks, the biggest names in jazz in its broadest sense, from fusion to chanson via Latin influences, rock, and blues, will take turns on the stage of the festival's main tent and its 6,000 spectators, or on the stage of the Astrada. A top-notch lineup makes Jazz In Marciac an unmissable event of the summer music season.
But you don't need to be a jazz aficionado to enjoy the delightful blend of jazz and all the cultural highlights of Southwest France, and the Gers region in particular, including Saint-Mont and foie gras. You can be captivated by one of the concerts that gives the festival its prestige, or simply enjoy a pleasant musical immersion with all the free concerts that enliven the village, from 10:45 am to 7:45 pm in the central square and then in the numerous bars and restaurants where you can continue the evening. A wonderful way to soak up the atmosphere and get into the festival spirit, whether for an afternoon or a few days, less than an hour's drive from Tarbes.
