One year ago, the Charlie Jazz Festival made a bold decision: to expand its format from three to four evenings to counter an unfavorable economic situation for music events. Despite the risks, the gamble paid off as the event in Vitrolles broke its attendance record: 5200 spectators compared to 3825 in 2024. “We reached twice the maximum limit of 1500 people during the 2025 edition, which is balanced,” smiled Aurélien Pitavy.
Nevertheless, the director of the Charlie Free association, leading the festival, aims to maintain an “intimate-sized” event. While preserving the quality of hospitality that has built its reputation under the trees of the Fontblanche estate. Established as a must-attend event since its creation in 1998, the Charlie Jazz Festival returns from July 2 to 5, 2026, for its 28th edition, with the same philosophy: “Offering a panorama of jazz music with very different proposals each evening. While maintaining the right balance between headliners, discoveries, and artists that we enjoy seeing again,” Aurélien Pitavy emphasized.
For the opening night, the director is pleased to welcome for the first time “a jazz legend with the guitarist…”.
