The incredible story of the Montreux Jazz Festival.
The extraordinary story of the world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival and its beloved founder, Claude Nobs. Starting in 1967 with practically no knowledge of the music industry Claude Nobs turned a sleepy town on the shores of Lake Geneva into a mecca for the greatest international recording artists of all time. Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, David Bowie, Miles Davis, Etta James, Prince... the list goes on and They All Came Out To Montreux.
Starting in 1967 with practically no knowledge of the music industry Claude Nobs' enthusiasm, drive and passion for music turned a sleepy town on the shores of Lake Geneva, Switzerland into a mecca for the greatest international recording artists of all time, one that shaped the history of live music forever.
Over 50 years later the story of the Montreux Jazz Festival and its visionary creator is told by those who experienced its golden years. Using unseen archive material and brand new interviews we take the viewer back in time to hear the trumpet of Miles Davis, the piano of Nina Simone and the guitar of BB King echo through five decades of candid recollections by dozens of the festival’s star performers and industry insiders.
The production features performances at the festival from some of the 20th century’s most important musical icons including Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Santana, Nina Simone, Etta James, Carol King (Eta and Carol’s first European performance), Van Morrison, Miles Davis, Sting, David Bowie, Prince, James Brown and Wyclef Jean. Alongside these performances are interviews with Elvis Costello, Jack White, George Clinton, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy, Keith Richards, Herbie Hancock and executive producer Quincy Jones.
QUINCY JONES - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER’S STATEMENT
They All Came Out To Montreux is a wonderful testament to the story behind one of the world’s greatest events, and the work that my funky friend Claude Nobs put into creating it. I’m so pleased it’s continuing to spread this story to more music lovers around the world.
OLIVER MURRAY - DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
I could not be more excited and honoured to work with the festival’s truly staggering collection of musical performances and bring Claude’s story to the screen. From Nina Simone in 1968 to Wyclef Jean in 2014 the film is a time machine that take us back through the history of C20th music. Claude created a film archive to share his love of music with the world and in making this film we are honouring his memory by sharing in that same love. The importance of Claude's legacy is reflected in the remarkable cohort of musicians who joined in to tell the story with us. My heartfelt thanks to Quincy Jones, Montreux Sounds, BMG and the Claude Nobs foundation for their trust and support. I can’t wait for audiences to see it at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.