Jazz à Valrose becomes a festival: June 4–6, 2026

  • Culture
  • Student life
  • Campus Life
Published on March 12, 2026 – Updated on March 17, 2026
Dates

on the March 13, 2026

Jazz
Jazz

Good news for music lovers: Jazz à Valrose is expanding and, for the first time, will be a three-day festival. From June 4 to 6, 2026, the grounds of the Château de Valrose will be transformed into an open-air stage to celebrate jazz in all its forms.

Lying on the grass beneath the park’s majestic century-old trees, the audience is invited to discover the best of the emerging jazz scene while revisiting the highlights of this musical heritage with university jazz ensembles.

Organized by Université Côte d’Azur in partnership with the Alpes-Maritimes Department and the Nice Conservatory, Jazz à Valrose has established itself as a popular, friendly, and intergenerational event.

A lineup featuring emerging talents and jazz legends

After hosting artists such as Kamaal Williams, Célia Kaméni, and Sophye Soliveau in previous editions, this year the festival is spotlighting a new generation of musicians. The main stage will feature, among others:
  • American saxophonist Isaiah Collier, a rising star of contemporary jazz;
  • double bassist and singer Amy Gadiaga, often hailed as one of the future great voices of European jazz.
Another prestigious guest: saxophonist Rick Margitza, known for having played alongside Miles Davis. He will perform with his quartet and accompany the Conservatory Big Band for one piece. On Thursday, June 4, the festival opens with an outdoor film screening of photographer Bert Stern’s legendary documentary, *Jazz On A Summer’s Day*, which chronicles the 1958 Newport Festival featuring Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Anita O’Day, Thelonious Monk, and many other legends.

The public will also be able to discover the Aix-Marseille University Big Band, the UniCA Jazz Band, the new Université Côte d’Azur marching band, as well as several DJ sets that will set the tone for the evenings.

A festival open to all

Jazz à Valrose is designed as a shared experience accessible to everyone. Families and young audiences can enjoy creative workshops led by the La Semeuse association, including making lanterns to light up the park. For a social atmosphere, the festival features a bar area with Brasserie d’Aqui and a more diverse selection of food trucks than ever before.

Prices

  • 3-day pass: €20
  • Thursday, June 4: €5
  • Friday, June 5: €10
  • Saturday, June 6: €10

Free admission for students and staff of Université Côte d’Azur, as well as those from its member and partner institutions. Also
free for accompanied minors.

Ticket Office


Program

Thursday, June 4 – Outdoor Cinema
Jour 1
Jour 1


First day in a friendly, family-friendly
picnic atmosphere
  • 7:30 PM: Doors open and DJ set
  • 9:00 PM: Screening of Bert Stern’s film *Jazz on a Summer’s Day*
Friday, June 5 – Concerts
J 2
J 2
  • UniCA Jazz Band
  • O’JAZZ AMU & Co
  • Concert by Isaiah Collier

Saturday, June 6 – Concerts
J 3
J 3
  • Nice Conservatory Big Band
  • Rick Margitza Quartet
  • Concert by Amy Gadiaga