Jammin’ Juan 2025: when jazz warms up the autumn

If “Jazz à Juan”epitomises the jazz summer on the Côte d'Azur, Jammin’ Juan 2025 extends the excitement into the autumn. Less media-driven but just as fascinating, this festival transforms Juan-les-Pins into an intimate treasure chest where emerging jazz talents are revealed.

The Jammin’ Juan Festival

The festival Jammin’ Juan is established as an alternative and discovery stage for jazz in Antibes. Each year, at the end of October, it transforms the town into the epicentre of the emerging scene, mixing energetic concerts and intimate showcases. Once again this year, the festival offered an eclectic and high-quality programme, highlighting emerging and established talents.

Among the artists featured in this edition are Obradovic-Tixier Duo, a duo of artists sublimated by a succession of percussion instruments and instruments from different regions, who captivated the audience with their subtle interplay and musical complicity. Also the Cuban Jazz Syndicate caused a sensation with its addictive rhythms and bewitching melodies, bringing a touch of Cuban warmth to the autumn of the Côte d'Azur. Finally, the Cascino Trio impressed with his technical mastery and innovative interpretation of jazz standards.

The Jammin’ Juan festival is also supported by the UNAC (National Union of Authors and Composers), which plays a crucial role in the promotion and protection of artists. UNAC helps to highlight emerging talent and support musical creation.

The universe of Christian Rahal: between silence and restitution

Among the highlights of this edition, the exhibition “Silence, Jazz & Light” by photographer Christian Rahal attracted particular attention. This exhibition is a visual immersion that captures the pure soul and emotion of musical performance.

Christian Rahal, a passionate and talented photographer, was able to capture unique and exciting moments during the festival performances. His approach to photography is deeply personal and intuitive. For him, photography is a mirror that reflects what is, without addition or subtraction. He sees himself as a simple witness who captures the essence of the moments and people he photographs.

For Christian Rahal, black and white is a deliberate choice that reveals the soul of the subjects. He believes that black and white brings a simplicity and depth that allows light and emotions to shine through. His exhibition “Silence, Jazz & Light” is a celebration of this philosophy.

Among the photos on display, an image of Dee Dee Bridgewater stands out in particular. This photo, taken in 2023, captures the energy and sweetness of the artist on stage. Rahal explains that this photo is special because it shows Dee Dee Bridgewater in all her glory, with an almost divine light surrounding her.

Christian Rahal has travelled to several countries, including India and Morocco, where he was able to explore different cultures and spiritualities. These trips have deeply influenced his vision of photography and his search for silence. For him, silence is essential in artistic creation, both in music and photography.

Rahal also shared his experience of fatherhood, which he considers an extraordinary journey. She also spoke about her latest trip to the Sahara desert, an experience that reinforced her love for the simplicity and depth of the landscapes.
The exhibition “Silence, Jazz & Light” is an invitation to discover jazz through the unique gaze of Christian Rahal. Each photo is an open window into the emotion and energy of musical performances. Rahal has also collaborated with the painter Hervé Rubeaud for this exhibition, mixing photography and painting to create a rich and varied artistic experience.

The Jammin’ Juan 2025 has established itself as an unmissable jazz event, combining artistic rigour and conviviality with panache. Between emerging and established talents, and thanks to events such as the “Silence, Jazz & Light” exhibition, the festival has created a unique alchemy between music and visual arts. We hope to see Christian Rahal's sensitive eye again at the next Jazz à Juan. One thing is certain: jazz continues to make Juan-les-Pins vibrate well beyond the summer.

Article by Pierre Bordero