30ème Megève Jazz Contest

Detailed program for 2026:

This 2026 edition features a competition of 8 orchestras loyal to the Megève Jazz Contest and having already finished on the podium, enlivening the four corners of the village.
A jury of professionals will award its prizes, and the public will choose its own.

Friday July 10
16-17pm – Winning orchestra of the Megève Jazz Contest 2025 “Happy Six Warmers” – Village Square
17pm – Welcome of the 8 orchestras – Megève Tourism Amphitheater / Welcome reception with VIPs, orchestras and volunteers
17:30 pm – Be-bop dance demonstration with dancers from the Temple of Swing in Paris – Megève Tourism Amphitheater
19-20pm – Winning orchestra of the Megève Jazz Contest 2025 “Happy Six Warmers” – Village Square
Between 20 p.m. and 22 p.m. – Off-program concerts by orchestras – partner restaurants


Saturday, July 11
10:30-11:30 PM – Be-bop class with instructors from Temple du Swing – Village Square – *Tickets available on site
11:30-12:30 – Winning orchestra of the Megève Jazz Contest 2025 “Happy Six Warmers” – Village Square
Between 12:30 p.m. and 14:30 p.m. – Off-program concerts by orchestras – partner restaurants
14:30-15:30 PM – Be-bop class with instructors from Temple du Swing – Village Square – *Tickets available on site
15:30-16:30 PM – Winning Orchestra of the Megève Jazz Contest 2025 “Happy Six Warmers” – Village Square
4:30pm-8:30pm – Competition with public vote, featuring 16 New Orleans Jazz orchestras – 20 stages (Megève Tourism Amphitheater, Maison de la Montagne district, St Paul district, Place Gérard Morand)
4:30pm-16:30pm – Be-bop dance demonstration with dancers from the Temple du Swing in front of the 20 stages (Megève Tourism Amphitheater, Maison de la Montagne district, St Paul district, Place Gérard Morand)
Between 20:30 p.m. and 22:30 p.m. – Off-program concerts by orchestras – partner restaurants


Sunday, July 12
From 11:45 am – Jam session with all the orchestras strolling through the streets of the village
Departure 11:45 AM, Morand Allard Foundation, rue de la Poste, rue d'Arly, rue St François, Place Gérard Morand, rue Charles Feige – Arrival 12:30 PM, Place du Village
14-15 pm – Be-bop class with instructors from Temple du Swing – Village Square – *Tickets available on site
15pm-18:30pm – Competition with public vote for the 8 New Orleans Jazz orchestras – 4 stages (Megève Tourism Amphitheater, Maison de la Montagne district, St Paul district, Place Gérard Morand)
15pm-18:30pm – Be-bop dance demonstration with dancers from the Temple du Swing in front of the 4 stages (Megève Tourism Amphitheater, Maison de la Montagne district, St Paul district, Place Gérard Morand)
20pm – GALA EVENING FOR THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEGEVE JAZZ CONTEST with The Glenn Orchestral Big Band – Tribute to Glenn Miller, followed by the announcement of the results and the prize-giving ceremony – Salle Mageva, Le Palais, €25 and €20 (tickets on sale at Megève Tourism).

In case of rain, the program will be modified; information available from Megève Tourism.
*Be-bop classes: €10/1 class, €18/2 classes, €28/3 classes. Available for purchase on site.



Presentation of the PARTICIPATING ORCHESTRAS:

** ANTHRACITE JAZZ BAND ** France
The group consists of: Michel Maitrehenry trumpet, Rodolphe Campomizzi trombone, Patrice Lamblin saxophone, Pierre Cheteau double bass, Yves Dechaume guitar, Lou Laupretre piano, Michel Richard washboard drums, 4 musicians belonged in 1994 to the Jazzogènes, who won the 1st Megève Jazz Contest.
In 1993, ANTHRACITE JAZZ BAND won the Sidney d'or in St Raphaël with a hot-five-hot-seven repertoire based on Louis Armstrong compositions. Encouraged by this prestigious award, the group participated in numerous competitions, often distinguishing itself among the finalists (Megève, Le Havre, Saint-Adresse, etc.).
ANTHRACITE JAZZ BAND has also established its reputation in numerous festivals (Le Transbordeur in Lyon, Les Nuits du Jazz in Chaponost, Lauris …).
A first album will immortalize this period.
ANTHRACITE JAZZ BAND happily revisits standards by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and others, not forgetting the warm sound of New Orleans swing and the aroma of Caribbean rum…
Michel “Mimu” Maitrehenry recently joined the band. His trumpet has some great stories to tell…
ANTHRACITE JAZZ BAND's ambition is to perpetuate this music that moves us. Decades pass, but it's clear that these seven musicians have maintained their enthusiasm, and the joy of playing together remains.


** CAPTAIN FLAPSCAT ** France
Since 1983, CAPTAIN FLAPSCAT, a member of the Hot Club de Lyon, has perpetuated Traditional Jazz, drawing inspiration from great figures such as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet or Kid Ozy, but also from the Jazz Revival of the Preservation Hall in New Orleans with musicians such as Georges Lewis, Louis Nelson or Capt John Handy.
In 40 years of good and loyal service, the group has participated in more than a dozen editions of the Megève Jazz Contest and received the Audience Award in 2005.
The 6 Captain's, who notably performed at the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the Megève Jazz Contest, are eager to be part of this 30th edition. They will bring their repertoire, ranging from pure, hard-hitting styles to great standards with a touch of swaying biguine, to the streets of Megève.


** DEBRECEN DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND ** Hungary
The group was founded 42 years ago by Zoltán Gyarmati.
Since its creation, the DEBRECEN DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND has received numerous invitations in Hungary and abroad, and has regularly participated in the Debreceni Jazz Napok festival since 1985.
The group members are still proud today of having successfully represented Hungary at the European Radio Union festival in Tonder (Denmark) in 1987, just two years after their creation, and of having been able to travel to Berlin in 1989.
In 1987, they successfully represented Hungary at the European Radio Union Festival in Tonder (Denmark) and they were able to attend the great European celebration of oldtimer music, the Dixieland Festival in Dresden, from 1989 onwards (and again in 2024).
Over its 42-year history, the group has given more than 1,200 concerts and enjoyed great success in almost every country in Europe, as well as twice in the United States, the birthplace of jazz, notably in New Orleans. The group has also achieved two resounding successes in Megève. It is, of course, a regular guest at various jazz and Dixieland festivals in Hungary.
The DEBRECEN DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND has given many memorable concerts with renowned guest artists (e.g. Champion Jack Dupree, Michael White, Eric Alexander, Olivier Franc, Benoit Flamesnil, etc.).
The group's repertoire includes arrangements and adaptations of great Dixieland classics, as well as original compositions by the members, but also pieces of different styles played in the Dixieland style (klezmer, hot jazz, modern compositions).
The current members of the group are:
István Gyarmathy, clarinet, conductor; János Kovács, trumpet/vocals, artistic director; Marietta Mária Kovács, violin/vocals; Dániel Tóth, trombone, Sándor Tikász, banjo/guitar/vocals; Imre Kerekes, tuba.


**FIVE IN THE MOOD** France
The FIVE IN THE MOOD orchestra from Bordeaux discovered the Megève Jazz Contest in 2014 with the help and support of Poumy Arnaud, artistic director of the MJC (Youth and Culture Center). For the FITM musicians, all classically trained, it was love at first sight with this style of New Orleans music, which isn't taught in conservatories. Seemingly simple in its composition, yet very complex in its interpretations, this music captivated and enthralled the FITM musicians.
And it was also love at first sight for Megève, its inhabitants and its exceptional public.
Since 2014, without interruption, even during lockdown, FITM has come to Megève to play jazz on the weekend of July 14th. This regular participation has been possible, it must be acknowledged, thanks to the tenacity and motivation of its conductor, a Megève native, who never misses an opportunity to return to share his passion for music.


** GENEVA BOOGIE & BLUES QUARTET ** Switzerland
This quartet, born from the meeting of Jacques Covo from Geneva and Jean-Marie Peyrin from Thonon-les-Bains during a Fête de la Musique in that city, practices a genre of music with effervescent energy and a solid tempo, pleasant to listen to as well as to dance to and composed of boogie-woogies from the 1930s, the great standards of old-style jazz and blues.
Jacques Covo, with his incomparable exuberance at the piano and his love of music, follows in the footsteps of the great names of traditional jazz and piano-blues.
Jean-Marie Peyrin on saxophone, who has played with the greatest traditional jazz musicians in France and abroad, gives a special color to the quartet's music through his improvisations and his large repertoire.
Antoine Robert on double bass, is a well-known musician in Geneva jazz circles who also often performs with middle jazz and swing orchestras.
Laëtitia Narel is on drums. A Parisian living in Morzine, she plays in several jazz groups in France and Switzerland and teaches the instrument.


** NEW CHOCOLATE DANDIES ** France
The NEW CHOCOLATE DANDIES were formed for the 2004 Megève Jazz Contest.
Since then, the group has returned nine times, winning several prizes, including first prize. This will be their tenth participation in the 30th Megève Jazz Contest. And our drummer, Jean-Bernard Leroy, plays on Poumy Arnaud's drum kit. That shows the orchestra's dedication to the Megève Jazz Contest!
The NEW CHOCOLATE DANDIES are a traditional jazz band active in France, distinguished by their repertoire centered on swing and jazz classics. Formed by passionate musicians, the group pays tribute to iconic figures such as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Fats Waller, performing arrangements faithful to the spirit of the 1920s and 1930s. Their approach emphasizes the vibrant energy of traditional jazz, with a typical instrumental ensemble including trumpet, clarinet, trombone, piano, double bass, and drums, delivering dynamic and engaging performances.
The orchestra has participated in numerous cultural events in France, including festivals and concerts celebrating jazz heritage. They have been invited to various venues, from Parisian stages like the Petit Journal Saint-Michel to regional festivals such as the Imperial Palace in Annecy and the Jazz Club de Savoie. Their regular presence at these events testifies to their popularity with jazz enthusiasts, with performances that often include tributes to the genre's historic ensembles.
Over the years, the NEW CHOCOLATE DANDSIES have been recognized for their contribution to the French jazz scene, appearing in diverse programs that blend tradition and entertainment. Their varied repertoire allows for interpretations adapted to different contexts, from intimate evenings to festive events, thus fostering the discovery and transmission of this musical style to new audiences. This orchestra continues to perform in cultural settings, contributing to enriching the artistic offerings in France.


** RIGHT BANK LEFT BANK SWINGBAND ** France
Our orchestra was founded in 2006 by Candice Parise and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Beyond the 20 years with Rive Droite Rive Gauche, we, as musicians, continue to live our passion for jazz, a music we discovered during the golden age of jazz in France, the era of Sidney Bechet in Paris and of French and American musicians in the clubs of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the capital. We were fortunate enough to discover this new African-American music and learned from the great professionals of the time, Maxim Saury, Marc Laferrière, and others, how to approach this music and play in small ensembles without sheet music. Thus, from a very young age, we played in Parisian clubs such as Petit Journal Saint-Michel, Montparnasse, and Huchette.
Now it's our turn to help young musicians. Our association for the development of authentic jazz allows us, at the request of two music schools in the Paris region, to organize jazz workshops for their students, in order to help them approach this music of improvisation and swing with explanations and demonstrations.
Our Rive Droite Rive Gauche orchestra always seeks to enjoy itself and give pleasure to the public by offering quality concerts with highly talented singers such as Candice, tap dancers, Lindy hop dancers who recall the jazz that we love, Traditional and Swing.
Our various services include: Palais des Congrès du Touquet, Festivals, concert in Deauville, private parties at the Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione, Jazz Cruises in France and Abroad, Festival in Chicago and Edinburgh, not forgetting the dozen or so Jazz Contests in Megève with the chance to have won the Audience Prize in 2011 with our friend Candice.
An unforgettable anecdote: At the 2014 Jazz Contest, while we were playing in the Place de la Mairie for the Bastille Day Jazz Ball, where everyone, including the audience and dancers, was dressed in New Orleans attire, we were filmed (without our knowledge) by Claude Lelouch, who was shooting the Johnny Hallyday film "Salaud on t'aime" in the area. Admittedly, we're only on screen for about ten seconds, but it remains a wonderful memory.
A final word for the unforgettable memory of our late friend Poumy ARNAUD, drummer for Sidney Bechet, and conductor of the Sidney Bechet Memory orchestra, whom we invited several times to our Parisian concerts.
Latest anecdotes and unforgettable memories: [Maxim Saury's wedding in Megève in 2019. Sacha Distel's family restaurant in Megève.
The musicians: Piano: Michet Crichton / Bass: Bernard Brimeur / Drums: François Reau / Trumpet: Gittes Naudet / Tenor Saxophone: Michel Bescont / Clarinet: Gérald Chauvin
Au Chant our long-time friend (20 years!) Candice Parise, An exceptional voice and talent, with whom we have together the best memories of our various performances around the world.
Celebrating this 30th anniversary of the Jazz Contest with Candice is a real joy.


** SHREVEPORT RHYTHM ** Germany
SHREVEPORT RHYTHM, founded in 2008, is highly regarded by fans, the press and the media as Hamburg's finest Hot Jazz and Swing quartet.
The four musicians quickly developed their own fresh and entertaining style, which was appreciated by a growing number of fans.
Their music spans the best of 1920s Hot Jazz through 1930s and 1940s Swing, as well as a few Jive classics. What truly sets the group apart from many other jazz bands is that once on stage, the four musicians always create an enthusiastic atmosphere shared by both the audience and the band.
Thanks to their youth, SHREVEPORT RHYTHM also successfully appeals to the younger generation of live music listeners. The group's winning formula reflects the diverse experiences gained by all the musicians over the past few decades with several other groups, performing at numerous international festivals and jazz clubs across Europe and the United States, notably in New York and New Orleans.
Formation: Helge Sachs: saxophone, clarinet, vocals; Markus Pohle: piano, vocals; Andreas Nolte: guitar; Matthias Friedel: drums.


At the OFF festival:
*** HAPPY SIX WARMERS ***
This is not the first time that the HAPPY SIX WARMERS Orchestra has attended the Megève Jazz Contest. In fact, since 2010, this group of friends, who have been jazz enthusiasts since middle school, has already participated several times.
The group's roots grew in the East of France and were strengthened with grafts from the North in 2016 (The “Wild Cats”) and then from the South in 2023 to give birth to the HAPPY SIX WARMERS.
This orchestra reinterprets the melodies of the golden age of Swing in the 30s and 40s, including the Armstrong-Bechet collaborations.
The musicians have had the opportunity to play with groups such as the Hot Antic Jazz Band, Gunhild Carling, the Sidney Bechet Memories,…
This year, their only goal: to make Megève swing!
The HAPPY SIX WARMERS won the 1st Prize at the Megève Jazz Contest and the Audience Prize in 2025.


SUMMARY OF ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES – OFF CONCERTS IN RESTAURANTS

FRIDAY 10/07 – 20 PM
Pending

SATURDAY 11/07 – 12:30 PM
Pending

SATURDAY 11/07 – 20:30 PM
Pending


** POUMY ARNAUD**
Poumy Arnaud, a French musician, was Sidney Bechet's last drummer. He was also an honorary citizen of New Orleans since 1996 and Claude Luter's drummer.
To keep the memory of Sidney Bechet alive, he created "The Sidney Bechet Memory All Stars" in 1999 with musicians who accompanied the jazzman from 1949 to 1959. Their last album was recorded in New Orleans, at the Pearl Harbor.
POUMY ARNAUD, who has been frequenting Megève since 1939, revived the jazz club "Les Cinq Rues" from 1969 to 1972.
Wanting to bring the village to life with the sound of jazz, he created the Megève Jazz Festival at the request of Gérard Morand, mayor of Megève, and Alain Bompard, then President of the tourist office, and has been its artistic director since 1987.
as well as the Megève Jazz Contest in 1994 to kick off the summer season, and this until 2018, the date of the last concert of his orchestra on the Place du village.
To fuse art, sport and music, the French Skating team with Philippe Pelissier gave several galas at the Palais with the Sidney Bechet Memory All Stars orchestra performing live.
In 2023 Megève paid tribute to POUMY ARNAUD with a re-edition of the Jazz Contest.
Since then, Megève has continued to celebrate jazz every weekend of July 14th with a new edition of the Megève Jazz Contest.

Be-bop lessons: €10/1 lesson, €18/2 lessons, €28/3 lessons.
Gala evening: €25 and €20