Summer In Paris
Paris is a town steeped in jazz history. This history is celebrated every year at the Paris Jazz holiday, which occurs every year in the Parc Floral de Paris between June and July. This holiday invites crowd-drawing jazz legends but also endeavours to show off new talent from developing talent of the world scene. Concerts happen in the afternoons every weekend and are the best way to experience an authentic Parisian summer atmosphere. With many cheap styles of transport and competitively priced Paris apartments on offer, this is the perfect time of year for your romantic town break.
After World War I Paris was turned into a new and exciting hotbed of creativeness and invention, especially in its underground music clubs and bars. This subculture evolved after the 1st influx of African American squaddies arrived in the war and brought with them their unique brand of music, which grew rapidly in popularity and quickly established itself in the area of Montmartre. This area has become the religious home of jazz in the town and was famed for clubs including Le Grande Duc and Bricktop’s. This contagious music quickly spread to the areas of Montparnasse, Saint-Germain-des- Prs and the area around the champions Elysses. The cabaret clubs of the 20′s and the 30′s were the setting for a major change in the social and inventive development of Paris during this period with some early pioneers of the scene including Josephine Baker, Darius Milhaud and the now mythical Django Reinhardt.
The popularity of the music grew rapidly and by the 1960′s Paris jazz clubs were regularly blessed with jazz royalty such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. Today there remains a strong musical tradition and Paris regularly plays host to reputable artists from the global scene. There is a vast choice of offerings through Paris, and with onstage music constantly there’ll be no excuse for staying in.
The Balle au Bond is a very unique locale. This jazz club is basically a boat that is docked in the Seine in central Paris with fairly cost-effective drinks.
Le Bilboquet, 13 rue Saint-Benoit 6th is a Paris jazz establishment going back to 1947. This is a great spot to soak up the unique atmosphere in this sophisticated firm. There is no cover charge, however the drinks are expensive ( one cup of white wine costs 18EUR ).
Autor de Midi, 11 Rue Lepic is an authentic underground jazz club. The roster generally contains the local players in this authentic dark jazz “cave”. Reasonably priced drinks and a pleasant atmosphere.
Why not end the weekend with a “jazz brunch” in the famous Jazz Club Lionel Hampton at Le Mridien Etoile ( 81 Boulevard Gouvion St Cyr. This massive and up market supper-type club offers smooth jazz and swing on Sundays with its brunch menu costing 36EUR.
For expert jazz backers or novices alike, Paris offers the perfect getaway to explore this musical culture and take in some of the most background spots that the town has to offer on the way. Why no stay in a Paris apartment and be in amongst the jazz action.
Music from motion picture “Andrei Rublyov” (Final scene)
