Jaton Takes Over At Montreux

Mathieu Jaton was named the new chief exec of Montreux Jazz Festival during a board meeting Jan. 14.

Jaton, who began working for the foundation that runs the festival in 1999 and has been its general secretary since 2001, is believed to be the late Claude Nobs’ choice as his successor.

Nobs died Jan. 10, having been in a coma since being involved in a cross-country skiing accident Dec. 24.

The Montreux board also approved Jaton’s plans regarding the organization of several events to allow the countless friends of Claude Nobs and the public to say farewell to “an exceptional person who shaped the world of music and his region for nearly 50 years.”

These events will include a musical event at Auditorium Stravinski in Montreux Feb. 8, a special concert for his American friends to be held in New York in the spring, and another special event at London’s Royal Opera House  July 26-27, a week after this year’s MJF closes.

This year’s MJF is July 5-20.