Philippe Castermane and Bertrand Mahé pay tribute to this unique cultural event, performing a set based on standards from the Twenties and the Thirties. Don’t expect conventions : original lyrics are mixed with their own French translations as well as adaptations by the likes of Boris Vian, Loulou Gasté and other aficionados from the Parisian Jazz scene. To truly share the rent party atmosphere, the programme features the projection of silent movies from the rent party era in sync with the performance !

Rent Parties took place in the Twenties and Thirties when the large Afro-American community from Harlem organised fun musical evenings in order to raise the

money to cover their rent. By hiring a pianist, providing

plenty of food and booze, and charging friends to come

along, the organisers were able to raise enough money to handover to the landlords when they came collecting.

It also gave birth to the “Stride” piano style, probably best known for the pianist's powerful and rhythmic left hand (replacing the Tuba and Banjo) while improvising with the right. The aim was to give the illusion of an orchestra in full flow...with piano only. Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Joe Turner, Earl Hines to name a few, developed the style which significantly influenced jazz piano playing and inspired

Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Count Basie

amongst others.