Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival celebrates 20th anniversary with major international line-up
The Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary this November with a programme bringing together jazz, soul, gospel, funk and rock at the Salle Garnier.
Running from 18 to 29 November, the anniversary edition will feature Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot, Marillion, GoGo Penguin, Thomas Dutronc and the Soweto Gospel Choir, alongside emerging international talent.
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Twenty years of music in Monaco
Created in 2006 by Jean-René Palacio, the festival has become a major fixture on Monaco’s musical calendar, combining established international artists with younger performers and a programme extending beyond traditional jazz.
The 2026 edition will begin on 18 November with the traditional free concert by students from Monaco’s Académie Rainier III.
On 20 November, South Korean jazz singer Youn Sun Nah will perform before two-time Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter.
The following evening will bring South African group Thanda Choir to Monaco as part of its first international tour, followed by American singer-songwriter Melody Gardot.
From jazz and soul to rock
The programme will move beyond live concerts on 22 November with a screening of Otto Preminger’s 1955 film The Man with the Golden Arm, starring Frank Sinatra, in partnership with the Institut audiovisuel de Monaco.
Music returns on 25 November with Haitian-American singer Tyreek McDole, followed by Belgian artist Selah Sue accompanied by The Gallands.
On 26 November, Manchester trio GoGo Penguin will present music from their latest album, Necessary Fictions, before British acid jazz and funk group The Brand New Heavies take to the stage.
Progressive rock will then have its own evening on 27 November, with British band Marillion performing at the Salle Garnier.
Soweto Gospel Choir to close the festival
The final weekend begins on 28 November with emerging French artist Lila-May, followed by Thomas Dutronc and a show celebrating jazz influences including Chet Baker and Django Reinhardt.
The festival will come to an end on 29 November with the return of the three-time Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, presenting its JOY show.
The 20th Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival runs from 18 to 29 November at the Salle Garnier, Opéra de Monte-Carlo, with tickets starting from €15 for the film screening and from €60 for selected concerts.