On a sunny spring evening, the setting by the shore of Lake Geneva blows the mind away. It does not get better than this picture-postcard Swiss locale. It’s not just the lake but the 30
kilometre backdrop of Lavaux’s terraced vineyards, deservedly classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2007.
The music festival Cully Jazz has been running for 36 years in Cully, a small historic village of 1,750 residents.
A stone’s throw from Montreux, Cully Jazz attracts top talent from the world over and attracts a growing audience of more than 50,000 spread over nine days.
While I seldom thank my gym coach for the push-ups I must now do everyday, I am very grateful for his introduction to Cully Jazz some years ago!
The line-up this year includes Onefoot, Lisa Simone, Sons of Kemet, Mélissa Laveaux, David Krakauer & Kathleen Tagg, Zara McFarlane, Youn Sun Nah and many more – see full programme below.
The video below from last year offers a taste of the festival.
Alongside paid performances, there are a host of free evening concerts in 12 local hangouts including Café de la Poste, Caveau des Vignerons and Sweet Basile.
No less of an attraction is the region’s wines, proudly displayed and poured at bars onsite.
Getting there early evening brings the added perk of seeing the sun set while munching on a tartiflette or oblong artisanal pizza made on site.
Programme: The festival runs from 13–21 April 2018.
Where: Google
Address: Cully, Vaud, Switzerland
Entry: Prices range from CHF 40 to CHF 59 with many free performances.
Festival layout: Map