About Montreux Jazz
The Montreux Jazz Festival takes places over two weeks each summer in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Montreux Jazz Festival was created in 1967 by Claude Nobs, René Langel, and Géo Voumard, and has since become a landmark event. Not because it draws more than 250,000 visitors, but rather because the Festival has kept its soul intact throughout all this growth. At Montreux, the intimacy that encourages improvisation remains a top priority. Proximity between the biggest artists and their audiences in concert halls of reasonable capacity, comfortable surroundings, and a quality listening experience all combine to produce unique concerts and encourage memorable moments.
While jazz and blues are at the roots of this event, other styles of music quickly found their place as well, anchored by artistic encounters between generations of musicians and unique experiments. Montreux has seen historic performances by artists including Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, and Stevie Wonder.

TASCHEN and Montreux Jazz join forces for “Mick Rock: The Rise of David Bowie, 1972–1973” On show from June 29–August 27, 2018
Coinciding with the launch of the 52nd edition of the Festival, TASCHEN and Montreux Jazz are pleased to announce the exhibition Mick Rock: The Rise of David Bowie, 1972–1973 at the newly reopened concert hall and hospitality venue, the House of Jazz.
In 1972 David Bowie released his groundbreaking album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. With it landed his Stardust alter ego: A glitter-clad, mascara-eyed, sexually ambiguous persona who kicked down the boundaries between male and female, straight and gay, fact and fiction into one shifting and sparkling phenomenon of ’70s self-expression.
Together, Ziggy the album and Ziggy the stage spectacular propelled the softly spoken Londoner into one of the world’s biggest stars. A key passenger on this glam trip into the stratosphere was fellow Londoner and photographer Mick Rock. Rock bonded with Bowie artistically and personally, immersed himself in the singer’s inner circle, and worked as Bowie’s official photographer between 1972 and 1973.
The exhibition at Montreux Jazz will present a selection of more than 20 signed, limited edition photographs by Rock, many of which also feature in TASCHEN’s publication Mick Rock. The Rise of David Bowie, 1972–1973, signed by Bowie in its original limited-edition version. These formal portraits, spectacular stage shots, intimate backstage and on-the-road photos bear witness to Rock’s unique style and unprecedented access to a brilliant and inspirational artist whose sound and vision will never be forgotten.
Marlene Taschen, Managing Director at TASCHEN, expressed her excitement about the new partnership: “We are delighted to work with such a seminal force in music history and culture. David Bowie’s intimate connection to Montreux Jazz and to its founder, Claude Nobs, makes this collaboration particularly apt. We look forward to sharing our homage to this incredible artist with Montreux’s audience.” Mathieu Jaton, CEO of the Montreux Jazz Festival, added, “It’s a huge honor to work with such a beautiful brand, which I’ve admired for many years. TASCHEN creates some of the most beautiful art books, and this partnership is a great opportunity to highlight our common vision and passion for music.”
Mick Rock’s portfolio of photographs will be available for sale at the House of Jazz Boutique and via taschen.com/montreux.