An Extraordinary Relationship
The Montreux Jazz Festival was born as a tribute to the vibrant world of jazz and, 58 years later, has grown into a global celebration of diverse music, drawing legendary artists from all genres to its stages.
Its journey mirrors that of the legendary Shure SM58 microphone. Initially designed for studio use, it was adopted by performers on stage and has been trusted by artists across the world and countless performers on the iconic Montreux stages.
For almost 30 years, Montreux Jazz Festival has trusted Shure to be its official audio partner. As we celebrate 58 years of the Montreux Jazz Festival and the legendary SM58, we pay tribute to the artists, audiences, sound engineers, and the enduring legacy of music
In 2024, two legends celebrated a fifty-eighth birthday: the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Shure Unidyne III SM58. To mark this happy coincidence, fifty-eight limited editions of the SM58 were created with each numbered black mic sporting the Jazz Festival logo. The outer packaging features whimsical artwork by Rylsee.
The Montreux mics were presented as gifts to performers and Festival officials. Artists receiving a limited-edition microphone were:
- Alice Cooper Asaf Avidan Brittany Howard Ian Gillan/Deep Purple
- Diana Krall Duran Duran – Simon Le Bon Jalen Ngonda James Arthur
- Jamie Cullum Janelle Monae Jessie Ware Jon Batiste Lenny Kravitz
- Michael Kiwanuka Paolo Nutini Rag’n’Bone Man Raye Santa Selah Sue
- Sting Tems Billy Corgan/The Smashing Pumpkins Trombone Shorty
- Victor Ray Yamê Zucchero
Ian Gillian of Deep Purple express his gratitude for the Montreux microphone stating that the limited edition SM58 was the most thoughtful gift he has received as a performer.
Related information: Montreux Jazz Festival
Arcana – mysterious or specialized knowledge
Shure has been trusted by Montreux to deliver extraordinary sound since 1995.
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The artwork on the Montreux SM58 box is available as a poster from the Jazz Fest gift shop: Affiche Rylsee, 2024 – Montreux Jazz Shop. It is also available on a water bottle.
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Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, was passionate about jazz and blues. He started the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967 with Géo Vomart and René Langel. The vision, whimsy, and personality of “Funky Claude” endeared him to artists worldwide. Deeply in love with Switzerland, Mr. Nobs transformed the small town of Montreux into the epitome of musical fests.
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Here is a poster from the 1967 Montreux Jazz Fest.
