The performance marked the EGOT winner’s fourth appearance at the festival, returning nearly 20 years after his initial debut back in 2007. Opening the night with an intimate promise to give the audience his absolute best, the singer took fans on a nostalgic retrospective of his career, blending live instrumentation with deeply personal reflections. Backed by British soul sensation Joy Crookes, the spectacular setlist featured career-spanning favorites and signature classics including “Save Room,” “Ordinary People,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Glory,” “All of Me,” and “Wild.”
This year’s curated lineup features 13 prominent American artists spanning diverse generations and musical genres. Highlights include the return of Philadelphia hip-hop pioneers The Roots for the first time in nine years, alongside performances from Moby, Gregory Porter, Giveon, Pale Jay, and Vulfpeck. Opening night also featured surprise guest appearances by Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson during a unique immersive production by RAYE, which paid tribute to historical festival headliners like Ella Fitzgerald and Al Green.
The festival’s deep-rooted connection to pure jazz remains front and center this summer. Bass virtuoso Marcus Miller reunited musicians from Miles Davis’ legendary We Want Miles! band to mark 100 years since Davis’ birth, performing alongside fellow collaborator Billy Cobham. Additionally, saxophonist Charles Lloyd returned to the stage nearly 60 years after performing at the inaugural 1967 festival, while folk legend James Taylor is scheduled to close the historic Swiss edition alongside Van Morrison. Full programming information can be found at montreuxjazzfestival.com.
Photo credit: Marc Ducrest
