MIAMI — The Montreux Jazz Festival Miami kicks off Wednesday, starting with a tribute to one of its most iconic performers, Miles Davis.
Local 10 caught up with music icon Emilio Estefan at his Miami studio about what to expect.
Fun fact, his mentor, Quincy Jones, who was also the godfather to his daughter, inspired him to get involved.
And this festival always features a surprise guest you won’t see coming.
“It’s like being at the Grammys without being at the Grammys. You know what I mean? Celebrating music,” Estefan said.
One of the most legendary music festivals in the world is back in Miami.
“Our initial idea was to do for music in Miami what Basel had done for art, minus the traffic,” Jeremy Arditi, co-chair of Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, said. “This festival has such a rich history of artists who have played there. Everyone from Miles Davis, Freddie Mercury, to Maluma. It’s pretty incredible who has played there over the 60 years of history there.”
Now, they’re on year three in Miami, and the festival continues to grow, going from two days to now five.
Local 10 caught up with Estefan, its co-founder, inside his legendary Crescent Moon Studios.
“This is where the magic happens, with Cuban coffee,” he said. “Of course, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Frank Sinatra recorded here.”
“My mentor was Quincy Jones, who was one of the creators, and we use to talk about how we have to bring this to Miami,” Estefan added.
So what makes Montreux different? It’s the blend of music and culture.
“Really what makes the magic of the festival is all of these different genres blending together in a way that is so synonymous with jazz and the world of improvisation,” Arditi said.
From a New Orleans celebration with Jon Batiste and Trombone Shorty, to Latin Night in the Grove, every night, when the headliners leave the stage, the jam session begins.
“The magic happens there because you don’t know who’s going to show up,” Arditi said. “Last year we had Shania Twain come, Maxwell come. And these are all artists who want to play with other musicians that are there on stage.”
“You’re going to feel the energy of the place,” Estefan said. “It’s fantastic to see people enjoying music, celebrating life. Miami is the perfect place. I think this year is going to be fantastic. Every year it will grow in a different way. I’m so happy I’m involved with them because they work really hard for this. Quincy would be really proud.”
Two years ago, Will Smith jumped into the jam session. No announcement. No script. Just music.
“It’s 60 years of heritage that we wanted to bring to Miami and add to the cultural scene of Miami,” Arditi said.
On Wednesday night, things kick off with Miles Davis Night.
And if history tells us anything, the magic doesn’t stay on the stage.
Click here to view a full list of the festival’s events.
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