08-07-2025
Chaka Khan Headlines Musical Tribute To Quincy Jones At Montreux Jazz Festival
MJF LAC. Scène du Lac. Chaka Khan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin
Montreux Jazz festival kicked off its 59th edition on Friday 4th July with Chaka Khan's musical homage to 28-time Grammy Award winner Quincy Jones. Legendary Soulstress Chaka Khan led the tribute to Quincy Jones–former Ambassador and co-producer of the festival–who died last year aged 91. Held on the stunning Lake Stage overlooking magical Lake Geneva, the emotional celebration was a joyful opening night full of music and brimming with love for the legendary Music Producer who was instrumental in shaping the soul of Montreux Jazz Festival. Chaka Khan's tribute to Quincy set the tone for an extraordinary two-week programme of live music in Montreux, which ends on 19th July.
There was no more fitting way to open the 2025 Montreux Jazz Festival than by honouring the legacy of legendary American Music Producer Quincy Jones–who passed away last November–in a one-of-a-kind show created especially for Montreux and fronted by iconic Chicago-born singer Chaka Khan on the fourth of July–US Independence Day. Chaka was joined by several special guests with a link to Quincy to pay a musical tribute to their friend and mentor. The unique concert was streamed worldwide as part of the Festival's livestream programme.
MJF LAC. Scène du Lac. ChakaKhan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin
Following Chaka Khan's show stopping tribute to Quincy Jones, legendary folk singer Neil Young took to the stage on Sunday 6th July, and a host of world-class performers–including Lionel Richie, Diana Ross and Grace Jones, as well as Pulp and Alanis Morissette (fresh from standout performances at Glastonbury)–will grace the Lake Stage for a lakeside swan song before the Festival returns to the Montreux Convention Centre in 2026 for its 60th edition.
After a first act featuring her greatest hits, kicking off with a storming rendition of hit I'm every woman , Chaka was joined on-stage by a host of special guests who have shared the stage or studio with Jones over the decades including; Siedah Garrett, Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Mica Paris, SEVEN, and Marc Sway. The starry ensemble of musicians covered multiple hit songs produced by Quincy including Man in the Mirror (which Grammy Award winning singer Siedah Garrett co-wrote), Give Me the Night and The Secret Garden , as well as Chaka tracks Tell Me Something Good to Do You Love What You Feel .
Chaka Khan's star wattage shone through her stage presence and powerful voice, which belied her 72 years and diminutive form, and she captivated the packed audience on the Lake Stage for an energy-filled set lasting more than three hours. The performance was titled To Q With Love –inspired by Frank Sinatra's affectionate nickname of 'Q' for Quincy–and a touching montage of archive footage featuring early performances by Chaka Khan, and images of the festival's founder Claude Nobs with Quincy, was introduced in a pre-recorded video message by Michelle Obama.
MJF LAC. Scène du Lac OST. Chaka Khan & Siedah Garrett © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin
Highlights of the magical evening–aside from Chaka's spellbinding performance–were emotion-filled renditions of Quincy hit records by Soul Queens Siedah Garrett, Mica Paris and Lalah Hathaway, and a joyful appearance by Swiss-Brazilian singer and percussionist Marc Sway. Set against the backdrop of a balmy July evening on Lake Geneva, the uplifting concert was a fitting homage to Quincy Jones and cemented the impact of his legacy on Montreux and on the history of music.
MJF LAC Scène du Lac OST. Marc Sway performing at Chaka Khan concert. © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin
Chaka Khan told the crowd: 'This here tonight is a tribute to one of the most amazing men on the planet, and in music. As a father, a grandfather, an uncle, he was many things to me. And I know in your heart of hearts, where your music part lives, that he's part of it. So, we're gonna' do a little tribute–no a big tribute actually–to Quincy Jones.'
This was a unique moment to witness in Montreux as iconic Soultress Chaka Khan performed her greatest hits in a one-off tribute to the late, great Quincy Jones–former co-producer and ambassador of Montreux Jazz Festival–before the performances return to a newly renovated Casino in 2026.
MJF LAC. Scène du Lac OST. Siedah Garrett performs with Chaka Khan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin
Before her rendition of Man in the Mirror Siedah Garrett recounted to the audience: 'This song changed my life. This song has opened so many doors, has allowed me to be on this stage tonight honouring the late, great, Quincy Delight Jones. So he [Quincy] was looking for one more song to round up the 'Bad' album [by Michael Jackson]. So Glen [Ballard] and I wrote this song and Michael loved it and recorded it.'
Arriving by boat across the glistening water of Lake Geneva from stunning Hotel des Couronnes in Vevey was the ultimate mode of transport, the lake stage appearing above the crystal clear water of Lake Geneva in a magical prelude to an unforgettable night of life-affirming music.
An Electrifying Farewell
As the final chords rang out and Chaka brought the night full circle with a rousing encore of I'm Every Woman , a tangible electricity surged through the crowd and everybody danced, including the most reserved concert goers. A perfectly fitting end to an unforgettable evening of music on the Swiss Riviera.
More than a concert, the performance felt like a musically spiritual communion–an expression of love for Quincy and his legacy, a joyous celebration of Chaka Khan's contribution to music history, a showcase for the talents of her supporting singers and musicians, and an ode to the natural beauty of Lake Geneva and Montreux.
MJF LAC. Scène du Lac OST. Chaka Khan © Lionel Flusin © Lionel Flusin
Streaming for the World, from Montreux with Love
All performances from Montreux Jazz Festival 2025 are being livestreamed for free via the Festival's official YouTube channel, continuing its mission to bring live music to audiences around the world, without borders. The full and updated streaming schedule is available on the festival website.
With To Q With Love , Montreux didn't just open a music festival—it opened a portal. To memory. To melody. To the spirit of Quincy Jones.
And surely–as Chaka's performance unfolded under the starry night Sky of Montreux– Quincy Jones and Claude Nobs were listening from the heavens.
A Starry line-up at Montreux Jazz Festival 2025
Chaka Khan's Quincy Jones tribute kicked off a two week festival programme with a a standout lineup including RAYE, Benson Boone, The Black Keys, FKA Twigs, Alanis Morissette, J Balvin, Bloc Party, Joe Bonamassa, London Grammar, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Celeste.
All the concerts will be available to livestream for free on the Montreux Jazz Festival's official YouTube channel, bringing Montreux's iconic lakeside experience directly to music lovers everywhere and continuing the Festival's ambition to bring live music to as wide a public as possible. The full and updated broadcast schedule is available on the festival's website.
With this extraordinary opening night, the Montreux Jazz Festival 2025 is officially underway, promising two more weeks of unforgettable moments on the shores of Lake Geneva.
For more information or tickets go the festival website.
