May 2-May 8

Nice poster, eh? Election weekend brings a slew of great events, especially the Voix Est Libre fest...but I'll get to that in a minute. Personally I'm staying in on Thursday to chill, but fans of American gypsy jazz will be heading over to the Meridien Etoile Jazz Club to check out Lemmy Constantine--he's covering Ole Blue Eyes AND Django (hmm...that sounds marketable!)

Friday night's the kick-off for the Saint-Germain-des-Pres fest...drop by the Odeon, St. Michel and Cluny Starbucks for some free jazz (I know, Starbucks in Paris...but they've got some decent programming lined up), or for more serious listening, head over to the Sunset, which is featuring Tremplin Jeune Talent-- new performers selected specially for this festival. The Jeunes Talent is at Sunset every evening 'til Tuesday, for free--but get there early, the show starts at 6pm (no that's NOT a typo) and finishes around 9. Then head over to the resto-bar L'Ogresse for "Monk's Point" --Thelonious Monk interpreted by Philippe Nadaud (sax) & Joe Makholm (piano) [8 euros, 4 rue des Prairies 20th, metro Gambetta, 01.46.36.95.15...supposed to start at 8:30pm but you know it's okay to be late]

Saturday, it's time for the VOICE IS FREE...hop a metro to the Bouffes du Nord--the most atmospheric theatre in Paris. The 'Jazz Nomades' Festival has become "La Voix est Libre" incorporating spoken word & other performance forms, and it's taking over the Bouffes for 3 nights. The Saturday night line-up features Titi Robin--a gypsy jazz guitarist who consistently surrounds himself with jaw-droppingly good players...along with his usual crew, on Saturday he's performing with Danyel Waro...I recommend reserving in advance--and the festival threatens to start right on time, too, so don't be late. The festival takes a pause on Sunday (everyone should be voting, right?) then comes back on Monday with a Slam night, including super-popular Grand Corps Malade. The programme on Tuesday goes back to music--get all the details on their user-friendly site www.jazznomades.net [20 euros, or a 3-day pass for 45. Theatre des Bouffes du Nord, 7bis bd de La Chapelle 10th, metro La Chapelle, 01.46.07.34.50, starts at 8:30pm]

If it's sunny on Sunday afternoon, I might wander over to the free "jazz au feminin" concert in Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres (again, part of their festival). The afternoon includes some excellent women players like drummer Julie Saury and bassist Helene Szanto, as well as feature spots by vocalists Victoria Rummler and Melanie Dahan.

Monday, I'll be at the Fondation Cartier: the great saxophone-player, pianist and Free Jazz vocalist Archie Shepp is celebrating his 70th birthday with "Born Free"--guests include his drum-playing son Pavel, Malian keyboard plaer Cheick Tidiane Seck, and slam artist Roce. For those of us who missed him at La Villette last September! [25 euros, Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain, 261 bd Raspail 14th, metro Raspail. 01.42.18.56.50, starting at 7:30pm]