Jazz lovers can start planning their summer music schedule now that the Nice Jazz Festival has announced their program for the summer of 2012. As last year, the Jazz Festival will be held in the Jardins Albert Premier in central Nice. The location’s ease of access was a big factor in moving from the Jardins des Cimiez last year.  Mayor Christian Estrosi noted in a press conference yesterday that he was pleased with the attendance numbers last year (30,000) and is looking forward to doing even better this year. To encourage more visitors, ticket-holders get a free bus or tram ticket with their entry. If only there was free parking! Oh well.

Last year’s parrain (literally ‘godfather’ but in effect ‘featured guest’) was guitarist John Mclaughlin; this year the marrain is chanteuse and French resident Dee Dee Bridgewater who has been a regular at this and other jazz festivals in France. And, Ms. Bridgewater will open the festival on Sunday 8 July. Here is the full program schedule for the 2012 Nice Jazz Festival:

Sunday 8 July

China Moses & Raphael Lemonnier
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Erykah Badu
New Meeting Quarter
Ibrahim Maalouf
Eddy Louiss/Richard Galliano Quartet

Monday 9 July

Bernhoft
Gregory Porter
Selah Sue
Jean-Mark Jafet
The Bad Plus & Joshua Redman
Herbie Hancock and His Band

Tuesday 10 July

Beth Hart
Tinariwen
Texas
Jimi Brown Experience
Dr John
Trombone Shorter & Orleans Avenue

Wednesday 11 July

Trio Rosenberg
Thomas Dutronc
Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra
Sebastien Chaumont & Guest
Ron Carter “Golden Stricker3 Trio
Ahmad Jamal

Thursday 12 July

Harold Lopez Nussa
Amadou & Mariam
Gilberto Gil
(Local Jazz Musicians)
Robert Randolph & The Family Band
Sharon JOnes & The Dap Kings

Tickets are €31 if reserved before 31 May and €35 thereafter. There are reduced rates for kids, seniors, youth etc. See my user’s guide to the Nice Jazz Festival and the official site for tickets

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