• Corporate philanthropy

The BNP Paribas Foundation and jazz, 25 years of passion and fidelity

Published On 21.12.2021

The BNP Paribas Foundation has been supporting jazz music for 25 years, and especially jazz musicians throughout their careers, helping them fulfill their musical projects. The Foundation also supports many festivals in France and abroad where the Group is present. Why jazz, one might ask?

What does jazz and a foundation have in common? What could be the reason of such patronage? 

Jazz and the BNP Paribas Foundation: sense of belonging and attentiveness in common

Jazz, vector of freedom of expression and symbol of unity, breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding, tolerance, a sense of community and cooperation. It encourages artistic innovation, improvisation, new forms of expression, and the integration of traditional musical forms into new ones. These values of innovation, community, listening, universal language and freedom, which are the DNA of jazz are all values shared by the BNP Paribas Foundation. 

It was these same values conveyed by the music of the pianist Manuel Rocheman, which sparked the artistic passion in the Foundation's team 25 years ago, encouraging them to support his musical projects. Since then, the Foundation's cultural patronage has taken an unconventional path by betting on contemporary creation.

Discover the artists supported by the BNP Paribas Foundation

25 years, a silver wedding anniversary and many relationships forged with artists

These 25 years of fidelity to jazz, which have benefited to over 26 artists and groups as well as around 30 festivals and institutions, were celebrated on October 7 during a unique concert bringing together 30 artists on stage and nearly 1,000 spectators. An evening organized for the benefit of the Abbé Pierre Foundation.

2021 October 7: a unique concert bringing together 26 artists on stage. An evening organized for the benefit of the Abbé Pierre Foundation. 

Re-live this magical concert and its exceptional set

Embodiment of the joy of creation and cooperation!  

Listen again to the entire concert with France Musique:

25 ans de Jazz - October 7 - Trianon (francemusique.fr)

« For 25 years, the BNP Paribas Foundation has demonstrated unconventional jazz patronage. It started 25 years ago with love at first sight for the pianist Manuel Rocheman’s music. […] All the musicians we are going to see on stage were themselves supported for some time, supported not only by a grant but supported in the sense where if they had ideas, the foundation was there to help them realize those ideas, and each time is a specific case, tailor-made, each support is individualized. This is what makes the patronage of the BNP Paribas Foundation for jazz extremely interesting. » concludes Alex Dutilh, the « Mr Jazz » of France Musique radio station, who was master of ceremony for the concert back in october.

Learn moreAll that jazz : music that brings people together and continually reinvents itself

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