Episode 1

Synopsis

This summer Radio 2 celebrates the Montreux Jazz Festival with a short series of programmes about the annual music event. In the first programme, Jamie Cullum plays host to its founder, Claude Nobs, who talks about both the history of the festival and his personal memories.

Founded in 1967, over the years the Montreux Jazz Festival has become an unmissable event for music fans in Switzerland and around the world. Its stages have been graced by some of music's greats, from Miles Davis to Ray Charles and from David Bowie to Massive Attack. Whereas jazz constitutes the festival's historic core, other styles of music were quickly integrated.

Live music by Sangam, Bill Evans Trio, Nina Simone, Count Basie's Jam Session and Miles Davis complement Claude's stories about Nina and Miles, Quincy Jones, Wilson Pickett and Deep Purple. This is a chance for Radio 2 listeners to eavesdrop on an intimate conversation between a musician and a music lover

Programme two is Claude's personal dream concert from the first 42 years of the festival. Jamie Cullum hears more about his choices which include Rachelle Ferrell in 1991, James Booker from 1978, Simply Red in 1986 and the Bill Evans Trio from 1968, and we're treated to spontaneous harmonica playing by Claude himself.

The series concludes in August with four half hour programmes of highlights from the 43rd Montreux Jazz Festival.

Tracklist

1. Miles Davis — Summertime (Live In Montreux)

   Miles & Quincy (Live At Montreux)

2. Art Tatum — Tea For Two

   The Genius Of Art Tatum

3. Bill Evans — Mother Of Earl, Live in Montreux

   At The Montreux Jazz Festival

4. The Charles Lloyd Quartet — Sombrero Sam

   Dream Weaver EP

5. Nina Simone — I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free), Live In Montreux

   Live At Montreux 1976

6. Wilson Pickett — Sugar Sugar

   The Very Best Of

7. Queen & David Bowie — Under Pressure

   Greatest Hits Volume II

8. Deep Purple — Smoke On The Water

   Platinum Collection

9. Count Basie — Lester Leaps In, Live In Montreux

   Jam Session At The Montreux Jazz Festival 1975

10. Queen — It’s A Beautiful Day

    Made In Heaven

11. B.B. King — Why I Sing The Blues

    His Definitive Greatest Hits

12. Herbie Hancock — Ionosphere

    Future 2 Future

13. Peter Cincotti — I Love Paris

    On The Moon

14. Sangam — Sangam, Live In Montreux

15. Miles Davis — The Pan Piper, Live In Montreux

    Miles & Quincy Live At Montreux

16. [musical] — Aquarius

    Original London Cast Recording "Hair

17. Paolo Nutini — Going To Chicago, Live In Montreux

    Going To Chicago (Live In Montreux)

Broadcast

1. Mon 13 Jul 2009
   22:30
   BBC Radio 2