IMEP • Paris College of Music is proud to announce that its ensemble, IMEP Latitudes, will perform at the 42nd edition of the Jazz Ascona Festival, which will take place from June 25 to July 4, 2026, on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Switzerland.
This invitation marks an important milestone for the school, which is recognized for its excellence in jazz and contemporary music education and is a member of the Berklee Global Partners international network of the prestigious Berklee College of Music.
IMEP Latitudes: The New Generation of Jazz from IMEP
For this edition, IMEP will be represented by a group of students known as Latitudes:
- Felix Mikolajczak – saxophone alto
- Wesley Rubim – trombone
- Marc Zhang – guitar
- Raphael Pottier-Cui – piano
- Adrien Legleye – double bass / electric bass
- Romuald Freitas – drums
The band will perform on June 30, 2026!
An artistic and international experience for our students
IMEP Latitudes’ participation is fully in keeping with the spirit of Jazz Ascona: a festival that showcases both major international figures and emerging young talents.
For IMEP students, this invitation represents a unique opportunity to perform in a professional international setting, alongside musicians from jazz scenes around the world, and at the heart of a festival renowned for its high artistic standards and collective energy.
IMEP alongside the biggest names in international jazz
In these extraordinary circumstances, IMEP Latitudes will share the festival stage with many leading figures from the worlds of jazz, funk, and contemporary international music, including:
- Fred Wesley & Generations, a funk legend
- Adonis Rose & Phillip Manuel, leading figures from New Orleans
- Torsten Goods, a guitarist and singer nicknamed the “German George Benson”
- Vincen García, one of the most innovative bassists in European jazz-funk
- Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s, an iconic jump blues band
and many other artists!
A presence that reflects IMEP’s openness
By participating in Jazz Ascona 2026, IMEP reaffirms its commitment to fostering its students’ professional development and exposing them to the international scene. This collaboration also strengthens the link between academic training and practical experience.
Between Paris and Ascona, bridging the gap between training and performance, the IMEP Latitudes ensemble is set to embark on a unique musical and personal journey at one of Europe’s most iconic jazz festivals.
Jazz Ascona: A Unique Festival Blending Tradition and New Orleans
Renowned for its festive atmosphere and its deep roots in traditional jazz culture, JazzvAscona transforms the town of Ascona into a veritable open-air stage every summer.
Over the course of ten days, the festival features more than 200 free concerts, taking place on lakeside stages, in the streets of the historic district, at bars, and in cultural venues. The atmosphere is one-of-a-kind: marching bands, jam sessions, concerts lasting late into the night, and encounters between musicians from around the world.
The festival’s identity is deeply rooted in New Orleans, whose musical, festive, and community-oriented spirit it embodies. This connection is reflected in a lineup that blends traditional jazz, funk, blues, and contemporary works.
