Jazz in the Var

First Jazz Picnic is scheduled for Sunday May 11th, at the fabulous wine domaine of St. Julian D'Aille, near Vidauban.

Following the great success of Jazz Cellar events organised this winter by the English monthly newsletter VAR VILLAGE VOICE, the Jazz programme continues with Jazz picnics, taking jazz into the some of the loveliest wine domaines in the Var.

The first of the Jazz Cellar events at the end of January, attended by an enthusiastic crowd of around 100, was held at the Maison des Vins, in Les Arcs, the home of the Cotes de Provence appellation, and in February was followed by an equally well attended night of jazz at the Chateau St. Martin (cru classe) in Taradeau. Both these events starred the Ian Anderson Quartet with surprise guests. The third Jazz Cellar took place at the recently refurbished domaine of Gustinrinoux in Carces and featured the brilliant Manouche (gypsy jazz) group of Georgia Brown.

After a small rest over Easter the Jazz programme is starting up again this May, getting into gear for the summer season, so that it can welcome tourists into some of the stunning wine domaines that dot the Var.

The first Jazz Picnic will take place at the CHATEAU DE ST. JULIAN D'AILLE, near Vidauban, Sunday May 11th, from 1 to 4 pm, and will feature the Ian Anderson Quartet with guests.

Bring your own picnic, entrance 10 euro only for the music, being able to sample the wines and buy wine to go with your picnic, and enjoy a great mainstream Jazz in the open air, looking out over stunning vineyard vistas in the shelter of the Maures mountains.

How to get there: from Alpes Maritime: Autoroute to le Muy peage, N7 to Vidauban, direction le Luc, Vidauban centre, 100 metres on, take D48 (left) direction La Garde Freinet, for 5.5kms. and turn off to Domaine.

From Aix: Take Le Luc peage exit, and then the D558 for La Garde Freinet road, for several kms, then turn left onto D48 route to Vidauban. after approx 5 kms. St. Julian D'Aille will be on the left hand side of the road.

Res: 04 94 04 49 60 and later