Coined the ‘Autumn of Music’, a series of Covid-secure performances and workshops were recently staged by The Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation (MJAF).
The non-profit foundation maintained its activities despite the cancellation of July's annual Montreux Jazz Festival dates, which usually take place for two weeks in Switzerland on Lake Geneva's shores.
Shure has backed the festival each year since 1995 by providing onsite support and a large number of wired as well as wireless microphones.
MJF 2020 was unable to take place due to the global pandemic, and the Autumn of Music series of Covid-secure performances were arranged in its place.
The free, week-long event consisted of concerts by emerging Swiss talent and the Montreux Jazz Academy, plus workshops, music listening and jam sessions.
The Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation is eager to carry out its initiatives to support new talent, encourage the development of their careers, and foster creativity while sharing music.
“In this chaotic context, the human and artistic values of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation, namely creativity, talent, sharing, and coaching, have a particularly powerful resonance,” said Viviane Rychner Raouf, MJAF’s secretary general.
“The Foundation’s initiatives in support of emerging musicians, creativity, and career development have never been more essential.”
A passion for live music is at the heart of Shure's 95-year history, and forms the bedrock of every other corner of the business. When the opportunity came to support MJAF in its mission to ensure live music continued in Montreux through 2020, Shure was delighted to get involved.
"We've worked closely with the Montreux Jazz Festival for 25 years," commented Tuomo Tolonen, Shure's senior director of pro audio for Western Europe.
"This commitment is not only as a technical partner to the event but also in key talent-focused initiatives. When it became clear that 2020's event would not take place, it was always going to come as a disappointment. However, the music industry is notoriously determined and resilient, as demonstrated by the success of Autumn of Music.
“We're delighted to work with the MJAF in securing the success of this event, and we look forward to MJF 2021. If history is anything to go back, next year's event will be more spectacular than ever before."