Rag’n’Bone Man in Montreux (2024), photo François Melillo.
Rory Graham, known as Rag’n’Bone Man, is a British singer born in 1985 in Sussex, who came to prominence with a deep blues voice set over soul and hip-hop productions. His relationship with Montreux began before the fame: in 2016 he was invited by the Montreux Jazz Festival to play in front of a handful of people at the announcement of the programme for the 50th edition, a few months before “Human” exploded across Europe. The festival filmed him that year for its “A Ride With” series. He has since returned to the shores of Lake Geneva, and ranks among the artists Montreux programmed very early, before their international breakthrough.
Rory Graham’s relationship with Montreux began before the fame. In 2016 the Montreux Jazz Festival invited him to play in front of a handful of people at the announcement of the programme for its 50th edition, just a few months before “Human” exploded across Europe. The festival filmed him that year for its “A Ride With” series.
A session at Claude Nobs’ chalet
Rag’n’Bone Man also recorded, in 2024, a stripped-back acoustic version of “Rush of Blood” at Claude Nobs’ chalet, above Montreux, in the retreat where the festival’s founder gathered the greatest names. The video, filmed facing the lake, sums up on its own the intimate bond between the artist and the Riviera.
The return to the main stages
Having become a star, Rag’n’Bone Man returned to Montreux through the front door: on the festival stages in 2021, then in July 2024 alongside Sting on the Lake Stage. He is thus one of the artists Montreux spotted very early, before their international breakthrough.
Videos
“A Ride With: Rag’n’Bone Man”, Montreux Jazz Festival (2016)
“Rush of Blood”, acoustic at Claude Nobs’ chalet (Montreux, 2024)
