A Jean-Louis Crassac
Souillac en jazz, avec ses bénévoles, multiplie depuis 43 ans les partenariats publics comme privés, de la Ville de Souillac avec ses bibliothèque et cinéma, aux associations locales en passant par des entreprises phares de la ville, commerces, artisans, professions libérales sans oublier le Département du Lot, la Région...
In 2012 we are celebrating the Centenary of the birth of Sim Copans, one of the founders in 1976 of the Festival which has borne his name since 1985.
Sim Copans is one of the main architects of the link between American and French culture. He translated the works of the French writer and poet Louis Aragon and introduced the United States to Jean Paul Sartre. He set up the Institute of American Studies and the Franklin Roosevelt Library in Paris and was instrumental in creating the first chair of the American language at the Sorbonne. As a public radio presenter from 1946 onwards he brought American music into French homes and over a 30-year period hosted no fewer than 4000 programmes including “Panorama of American jazz” and “Negro spirituals”.
“Jazz in the Valley” – organised by the Association of the “Sim Copans” Souillac Jazz Festival as part of the local cultural programme of the Valley of the Dordogne in the Lot – will feature a creation entitled:
“Sim Copans at 100 in the Valley”
Performances will take place in Souillac on 5 June, Sousceyrac on 6 June, Cressensac on 7 June, Prudhomat on 8 June and Rocamadour on 9 June.
“A disciplined extravaganza” is the catchword for this zany and virtuoso group of musicians and comedians who have combined their versatility and buffoonery in the cause of Universal Knowledge. Oozing competence and eccentricity, Les Experts address all sorts of historical and topical themes in their music, often outrageously mixing facts, controversy and ridicule, and deliberately making themselves a laughing stock in the process!
They specialise in pavement lectures. After strolling around Souillac with “Répertoire à la Monk” a few years ago, Les Experts are back again, this time to perform in the concert hall in a tribute to Sim Copans whom they describe as a “jazz benefactor”.
An epic musical lecture on the trail of our American friend Sim Copans on a journey from the Mississippi to the Dordogne via the Normandy beaches.
With:
Lisa Cat-Berro, alto saxophone
Nicolas Brémaud, percussion and clarinet
Stéphane Hoareau, guitar
Nicolas Naudet, clarinet and harmonica
Pascal Rousseau, bass tuba
Luc Salay, trumpet, author and director
