Music all around!

A week in Carcassonne during the Festival enables the visitor, to navigate through oceans of different music. Here is R.can, a well known rapper from Perpignan ("rappeur perpignanais"), who had a great fan base in Carcassonne. He was very friendly posed for a photos and gave autographs after the show. Unfortunately - I did not really understand, what he "rapped". There was no video taken that evening, but here you can listen to the "rap perpignanais". www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScAB-mgcNUM

A week in Carcassonne during the Festival enables the visitor, to navigate through the oceans of music.I did not understand much, when R.can, the rapper from Perpignan performed (see previous upload). I understood nothing, when "Grand Corps Malade" and his band started a very rhythmic poetry slam performance. But even though - it was brilliant! GCM is well known in France, his first album (2006) sold 700.000! Meanwhile he is a "Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres" an order awarded for a "significant contribution to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance." Here is an "official" video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgnAVBweOqo

I understood nothing, when "Grand Corps Malade" and his band started a very rhythmic poetry slam performance. But even though it was brilliant fête, as GCM had birthday that day. Grand Corps Malade, born as Fabien Marsaud in 1977, is well known in France and Canada. His first album (2006) sold 700.000! Meanwhile he is a "Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres" an order awarded for a "significant contribution to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance." Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lkk_OcazQU

I understood nothing, when "Grand Corps Malade" and his band started a very rhythmic poetry slam performance. But even though it was brilliant fête, as GCM had birthday that day. Grand Corps Malade, born as Fabien Marsaud in 1977, is well known in France and Canada. His first album (2006) sold 700.000! Meanwhile he is a "Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres" an order awarded for a "significant contribution to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance." The "accordéon" is a very popular instrument in French music. It gave the slam a special touch. Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHUFoCHeneI

An afternoon concert of Kijoté on the corner of the Place Carnot. The singer calls the music "swing manouche", what translates to "gypsy swing", but there are as well influences of French chansons and Spanish flamenco. That afternoon, there was even a small Flamenco dancer! You can listen to and purchase Kijoté´s music here: kijote.bandcamp.com/ ----- Some years ago, I got a shock at exactly this corner in Carcassonne. This happened after the ATM (in the back) had refused to accept my cash card. A day later, the machine was more friendly to me.

An afternoon concert of Kijoté on the corner of the Place Carnot. He calls the music "swing manouche", what translates to "gypsy swing", but there are as well influences of French chansons and Spanish flamenco. Kijoté is a duo, Pierre Montel plays the contrabass. Listen to and purchase Kijoté´s music here: kijote.bandcamp.com/ Kijoté on video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6MeaUS08L4

The weather had changed over the day and when "Une Touche D'Optimisme" entered the stage it had rained already. The amplifiers and equipment were under the tents, seen in the back. The weather got worse after about an hour and so I listened to the "chansons", sitting under an umbrella of a sidewalk cafe, having a pichet. Here is the sound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgwinSsR4mE&index=1&list=... www.unetouchedoptimisme.com/

This desperate look of Christian Olivier marked the sudden end of the concert Têtes Raides had planned for the evening in Carcassonne. The rain was pouring down meanwhile and it just got too dangerous to perform on the open stage. Too many cables and too many volts. Here is how Têtes Raides sound in better conditions: www.youtube.com/watch?v=15hQALO6k08 So this was the end of the "open air season" on Square André Chénier. The heavy rain continued the following day, so the concerts were cancelled.

They are really loud! And it´s not only for the tourists. It´s for the fun as well.

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town with a population of well under 1500, but in the month of August each year since 1978, Marciac changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. Walking the Via Tolosana some years ago, I stumbled this unexpected universe accidently and had to take a break,as it was so surprising. This year I was much better prepared.

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town with a population of well under 1500, but in the month of August each year since 1978, Marciac changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. Young French-American jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performing on stage in the "CHAPITEAU". Screens are under the tent´s roof. I had to move forward for some better photos.. Here is a video, taken in Marciac: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-aV6xS2New

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town with a population of well under 1500, but in the month of August each year since 1978, Marciac changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. -- Young French-American jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performing on stage in the "CHAPITEAU". Here is a video, taken in Marciac: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-aV6xS2New

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town, that in the month of August each year since 1978, changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. -- Young French-American jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performing on stage in the "CHAPITEAU". Here is a video, taken in Marciac: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-aV6xS2New

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town, that in the month of August each year since 1978, changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. -- Grammy- and Tony Award-winning Dee Dee Bridgewater is a legend. The "grand dame" of modern jazz is on stage since the late 1960s. To her right side Theo Crocker plays the trumpet. Sometime music is a family business. Singer China Moses, whom I saw in Carcassonne in 2010, is Dee Dee´s daughter. Theo Crocker is the grandson of the late Doc Cheatham. Taking photographs during this concert, I got a severe warning from the security guys, as it is - prohibited! So this is the only photo... Here is Dee Dee Bridgewater in Marciac: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV-R6e_mUEQ

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town, that in the month of August each year since 1978, changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. -- Stacey Kent, one of my favourite jaun singers, performing on stage in the "chapiteau". Her husband Jim Tomlinson playing the sax on the left. Walking long distances, I need a rhythm to walk on, as walking can get pretty boring (eg Bazas-Roquefort). To walk on a samba-rhythm really helps and to find new lyrics for known melodies as well. That evening Stacey Kent even sang the "One Note Samba", that has accompanied me since years. Here is Stacey Kent in Marciac: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsRMHLSFJNU Here is Stancey Kent´s "One Note Samba": www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYdrhTL3VBk

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town, that in the month of August each year since 1978, changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. -- Stacey Kent, one of my favourite jazz singers, performing on stage in the "chapiteau". Walking long distances, I need a rhythm to walk on, as walking can get pretty boring (eg Bazas-Roquefort). To walk on a samba-rhythm really helps and to find new lyrics for known melodies as well. That evening Stacey Kent even sang the "One Note Samba", that has accompanied me since years. Here is Stacey Kent in Marciac: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsRMHLSFJNU Here is Stancey Kent´s "One Note Samba": www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYdrhTL3VBk

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town, that in the month of August each year since 1978, changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. -- English singer and pianist Jamie Cullum was for me the biggest musical surprise of the summer. He jumped on the stage, like unchained, driven by hyperactivity. He really rocked the audience and shifted to chaotic full speed. After a few minutes, nobody was seated any longer. As I was totally unprepared for this kind of explosion, I had to gasp for breath. Jamie Cullum clearly has the highest level of PPI (Power Per Inch) I have ever witnessed. He acted on stage like a human bouncy ball. This was just incredible. Here is a nice video taken in Marciac, it even has the first minutes of the concert. Jamie Cullum as "l'enfant terrible du jazz". www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkZE3s2vJAw

Marciac, founded as a bastide in 1298, is a small, sleepy town, that in the month of August each year since 1978, changes into the "Capital of Jazz". A true metamorphosis. "Jazz in Marciac" is one of the leading Jazz-festivals in Europe with way more than 200.000 visitors each year. During this time, there is no soccer in Marciac, as the sports-ground is occupied by the "CHAPITEAU", a huge tent with a capacity of about 5000. -- English singer and pianist Jamie Cullum was for me the biggest musical surprise of the summer. He danced on the stage, like unchained, driven by hyperactivity. He really rocked the audience and shifted to chaotic full speed. After a few minutes, nobody was seated any longer. As I was totally unprepared for this kind of explosion, I had to gasp for breath. Jamie Cullum clearly has the highest level of PPI (Power Per Inch) I have ever witnessed. He acted on stage like a human bouncy ball. This was just incredible. I climbed on the grand piano, jumped down, hopped from the stage... After about an hour Jamie Cullum he invited the audience to abandon the seats and to dance in the aisles and in front of the stage. "If you all come now, the security guys can´t stop you." Loz Garratt plays bass in Jamie Cullum´s band. Here is a nice video taken in Marciac, it even has the first minutes of the concert. Jamie Cullum as "l'enfant terrible du jazz". www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkZE3s2vJAw