The Musician Insight

Every musicians’ singularities makes the music a universal language

Jazz à l’ECUJE: redefining jazz

Published by

lunaparkpress

3 November 2026

The French musical season, Jazz à l’ECUJE, is back with its sixth edition, dedicated to the jazz pianist and composer René Urtreger.

Founded by Gad Ibgui (ECUJE’s director) in 2020, the season aims to give a platform to all types of jazz, asserting its place in the current jazz scene.

A season where diversity reigns

Programmed by Olivier Hutman — who has worked with legends such as Henri Salvador, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Michel Legrand — the season offers a unique experience for all jazz lovers.

The selection of concerts presents a variety of acts, both well-known and more niche. Ensembles such as the Laurent Robin Trio and the Marc Copland Trio continue to shine with their respective new projects in the contemporary acoustic jazz sphere. By their side are artists like Mino Cinelu, Omri Mor and Mehdi Nassouli, who push the limits of jazz with their daring fusion styles. In the vocal jazz world, it’s Marion Rampal who shines through her warm and silky tone, alongside the pianist Pierre-François Blanchard.

Amongst this gorgeous programming, conferences are also a big part of the season. Mainly coordinated by Alex Dutilh, Lionel Eskenazi, Olivier Hutman and Marjolaine Portier-Kaltenbach, the public is invited to dive deep into jazz and klezmer history. From Broadway to exil to jazz royalty, the richness of the stories told is outstanding.

Finally, on May 9, 2027, the award ceremony for the René Urtreger Prize will take place, putting new acts into the spotlight. Created in 2023 in homage to the legendary pianist and composer, the prize aims to discover the fresh new faces of the jazz scene and contributes to diversifying the scene.

Jazz à l’ECUJE is a musical event needed in today’s cultural and political climate, offering a place where artists and spectators can discover and create freely, without restraint.