If we could go back in time, we could attend concerts by Django Reinhardt, Claude Nougaro or even Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald in the golden age of Toulouse’s jazz scene. Unfortunately we can’t, but what we can do is relive the madness of the ’20s in a live New Orleans-style concert. We call it Jazz in Toulouse is your chance to step back in time for an hour.
And what better place than a cabaret to reproduce the warm, intimate atmosphere of a jazz club? In the heart of Toulouse, Cabaret La Vénus will welcome you with its red velvet seats, offering its stage to this vibrant concert.
What is “We call it Jazz”?
Embark on a veritable journey back in time, transported to the smoky clubs of 1920s New Orleans in this captivating 60-minute show. Under the warm glow of a vintage street lamp, professional musicians bring the great jazz classics back to life, while paying tribute to the spirit of improvisation that is the essence of the genre. The carefully-curated setlist spans the history of jazz, from the infectious joy of Louis Armstrong ‘s“When The Saints Go Marching In” to the modern energy of Herbie Hancock’s“Cantaloupe Island“.
Jazz, its history and the show
Born in the early 20th century, jazz emerged as an artistic revolution from the cultural ferment of New Orleans, where African rhythmic traditions, European harmonies and Caribbean influences met. It was African-American musicians who, by transforming structured ragtime and the expressiveness of the blues, gave birth to an entirely new musical language.
The show will unfold like a journey through the evolution of jazz: it will start with New Orleans classics like Miles Davis ‘“Freddie Freeloader” or Chet Baker ‘s “Stella By Starlight” , before venturing into more complex territory with instrumental improvisations. The final section pays tribute to the Great American Songbook, with interpretations of standards such as Frank Sinatra ‘s “Fly Me To The Moon” and Billie Holiday ‘s “Summertime “, each musician having the opportunity to shine in improvised solos.
Settle into the comfortable seats at Cabaret La Venus, and let yourself be seduced by the notes of the We call it Jazz musicians. Doors open 30 minutes before the concert starts, so you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere.