Autumn Jazz Events in Paris: Jazz sur Seine, Blue Note Festival & Postmodern Jukebox

Postmodern Jukebox

There’s something about autumn that is inexorably linked to the cool brooding sound of a saxophone or just the right melancholy piano melody. In fact, many a Paris flaneur seeks a good jazz show in the fall, when la rentrée brings us back to reality.

Dizzy Gillespie – Tom Marcello

Jazz came to the City of Lights during the first World War when Harlem-born American soldiers brought over music from artists like Dizzy Gillespie and Sidney Bechet. The resulting scene sparked the opening of legendary clubs in the latin quarter and across the city. Thanks to their success, one can find dozens of clubs, festivals and open-air performances from St. Michel to Montmartre, 365 days a year.

Dizzy Gillespie – Tom Marcello

But fall is the season for jazz in Paris. The autumn leaves bring us the best jazz the city has to offer. Here are a few can’t miss shows to check out:

Jazz sur Seine

In October, the city’s best jazz clubs come together for the Jazz sur Seine festival. The event takes place over the course of two weeks and hosts 180 concerts at 25 venues across Paris.

Jazz sur Seine – Michel Fernandez Quartet

November’s Blue Note Festival brings the best of the historic New York club to the city of lights. From artists performing odes to Charlie Parker at New Morning jazz club to a soirée dedicated to the jazz music of Disney, this festival never disappoints.

Blue Note Festival / Mark Guiliana

And last but not least, early December brings us a special performance by Postmodern Jukebox at the Olympia. The group known for putting a jazzy spin on modern pop hits by the likes of Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Beyonce is the perfect mix of old and new.

Postmodern Jukebox

Still not enough jazz for you? Check out the Paris Jazz Agenda which offers a comprehensive list of  shows to check out every night of the season.

Postmodern Jukebox

Related Links

• Check out the top 10 Paris jazz clubs at The Guardian.
• And, the 15 best places with live music in Paris at Foursquare.
• For 21 unmissable things to do in Paris this Autumn, head over to TimeOut.

Written by Lory Martinez for HiP Paris. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria? Check out Haven In.

Jazz sur Seine – Sarah Lenka