Music in the Park – One – Colorful Vignettes

Lars and Diana at Vieux Port – Marseille

Diana, Lars, August, and Waiter – Group Selfie by Diana

Leaving the museum of Mucem – photo by Diana

Music Festival ’23 – Announcement written on tree

Driving along the alluring coastline from Menton in France to Girona in Spain, my nephew Lars and his wife Diana made a stop in Marseille. A mutual exchange of life experience boosts the understanding and appreciation of each other. Nothing beats personal meetings, not whatsapp, facebook, instagram, twitter and all the zooming 🙂

After their fairytale performance of dance and music

Children performing while others talk among themselves

After their performance of Harry Potter’s wizardry

The June music festival, open and free for all, organised in my district, has been refreshing entertainment in the increasingly getting warmer summer season. Students perform in late afternoons and jazz ensembles in the evenings. Never crowded, always place for everyone. A restful atmosphere energised by dance and music.

Being a fan of Jazz music as early as my first music system in my student years, I am always thrilled to hear live performances. The sound coming from an audio system shrinks in comparison to the free flowing tones of live music, and that says an audiophile. Seeing the musicians concentrate, involved in every tone, the facial expressions, is sublime.

Jam-session with musicians from Conservatoire Pierre Barbizet de Marseille

Guitar, saxophone, drums, flügelhorn, and bass – dynamic swing

The evenings. Soft sun. Mellow sky. Green grass. Chirping birds. Circling seagulls. Content audience. Saxophone, trombone, piano, keyboards, drums, and vocalist Celia Kameni. A magical ensemble. Music between dynamic and sensitive. The color lights deepen the mood.

Celia Kameni sings English Jazz songs – Raphaël Imbert on saxophone

I notice young people gathering in front of the stage. Soon I understand why. Four musicians rush on the podium and within seconds they produce a powerful rhythm that takes everyone by pleasant surprise. This is KeteKalles, the all-female fusion band from Barcelona, Spain.