If anything says “Summer in Nice” it would be the decades-old Nice Jazz Festival. As soon as the first posters appear I like to check out the program and plan my evenings. I try to check out artists I’m unfamiliar with as well as my old favorites.

Hiromi’s Sonic Wonder

This year, my first evening was with Dave Holland whom I’ve followed for years and Hiromi, the Japanese piano prodigy whom I hadn’t listened to at all. Both were excellent but, for whatever reason, Hiromi made more of an impact. Hiromi’s Sonic Wonder delivered a thumping good set with her bandmates Adam O’Farrill on trumpet, Hadrien Feraud on double bass and Gene Coye on drums. Moving away from her roots in traditional jazz, Hiromi’s Sonic Wonder was heavily infused with the energy and rhythms of funk. Along with her virtuosic piano, the exciting soundscape brought the crowd to its feet. Her set way overran its time (unusual at the festival) but no one complained and few left. When you’re in a groove, you’re in a groove. It was a hard act to follow, particularly for the Dave Holland New 4tet, which presented a more cerebral, academic form of jazz. Both played at the Theatre de Verdure and for once there was no annoying background noise from the Scene Massèna. Perhaps the acoustics were adjusted this year?

Kurt Elling at the Nice Jazz Festival

My second evening began with Superblue: Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter. I had seen Kurt Elling at the festival years ago when he showcased his jazz singing skills selections from the American Songbook. This year, his set catapulted into the 21st century with elements of funk, groove and hip-hop. Bandmates Corey Fonville on drums and  bassist/keyboardist DJ Harrison (both from the group Butcher Brown) gave the set an ultra-contemporary sound while retaining roots in standard jazz. It was a resounding success and kudos to all for battling the extreme heat that evening.

Herbie Hancock on the Scene Massèna

The evening closed with the legendary keyboardist Herbie Hancock, joined by Terence Blanchard on trumpet. I was a little surprised by the choice of Scene Massèna as opposed to the more intimate Theatre de Verdure but a big sound needs a big stage I suppose. Dynamic, dense, rhythmic, both stars reached for the stars. Closing with his signature Cantaloupe Island, Hancock managed to make the most harmonically sophisticated jazz accessible to all.

Get the history and practical information for visiting the Nice Jazz Festival.