NCE:
When Jazz Meets the Mediterranean – Nice's Timeless Rendez-Vous

The first notes of the saxophone drift across Jardin Albert I as the sun dips behind the Baie des Anges. A hush falls over the crowd—not the stiff silence of a concert hall, but the warm, wine-loosened quiet of the French Riviera at dusk. Welcome to the Nice Jazz Festival, where the world’s oldest jazz gathering still pulses with the spontaneity that made it legendary.

A Festival Born in the Shadows of War

Founded in 1948, when Europe was still licking its wounds, this festival was a declaration of joy. Louis Armstrong played here when the Promenade still had potholes from the war. Miles Davis famously ditched his set list in ’73 and played until sunrise. That rebellious spirit lives on.

This year’s lineup bridges eras:
🎷 Diana Krall reimagines Piaf under the stars
🎺 Christian Scott’s fusion set with Gnawa musicians from Morocco
🎤 Laufey brings her viral jazz-pop to the Théâtre de Verdure

But the real magic happens at the unofficial after-hours sessions—like the "Jazz on the Beach" sunrise performances where musicians still wet from their main stage shows play barefoot in the sand.

2024’s Hidden Gems

  • The Lost Tapes of Nice: Archivists will debut newly discovered recordings of Ella Fitzgerald’s 1962 performance, with a live accompaniment by a local orchestra.
  • Jazz & Cuisine: A pop-up where chefs from Jan and Flaveur create dishes inspired by the week’s performances (think: John Coltrane-themed tasting menus).
  • The Bass Walk: Follow the festival’s double bassists as they parade through Vieux Nice, playing at unexpected corners.

Why This Festival Still Swings

"Nice doesn’t treat jazz as museum music," says festival director Jean-René Palacio. "Here, it’s alive—played between sips of rosé, debated over bowls of socca. The Mediterranean air changes how the music feels."

PrestigeFly’s Jazz Escape

For travelers who want to slide into the rhythm of the Riviera:
✈ Fly business class with Delta’s direct NYC-Nice route, featuring a curated jazz playlist
🎷 VIP passes with backstage access to one artist of your choice
🌅 A sunrise yacht session with festival musicians (includes a champagne breakfast)

"We don’t just sell tickets—we sync your trip to the festival’s heartbeat."
Packages from $4,200 – Limited to 20 guests.