Following the announcement of Jean-Louis Aubert by the programmers of Cognac Blues Passions 2026The Christmas tree is filling up with musical gifts for the upcoming festivities, which promise to be delightful! The festival, taking place from July 1st to 4th, 2026 in Jarnac and the gardens of Cognac, is enriching its program with prestigious names and discoveries not to be missed under any circumstances!
The incredible American singer-songwriter returns to the Charente region to groove in the city's gardens on Saturday, July 4th. A devotee of folk and blues, Ben Harper has released 19 albums and sold 16 million records since "Pleasure and Pain" in 1992. And good things come in pairs: he will be accompanied by his renowned band, "The Innocent Criminals," with whom he recorded the legendary "Burn To Shine" in 1999. If you're still undecided, listen to "The Woman in You" and then "Two Hands of a Prayer," and then head straight to the link at the bottom of this page to access the Cognac Blues Passions ticket office! All of the artist's concerts are events, and his latest single, "Before the Rain Dried," with its piano, velvety vocals, and perfectly balanced mid-tempo, is yet another demonstration of the Californian's talent. American Independence Day is shaping up to be a sizzling one!
Opening for Ben Harper, Curtis Harding's soulful sound is sure to surprise many a listener! With four albums under his belt, including the recent "Departures & Arrivals: Adventures of Captain Curt" (a Star Trek homage perhaps?), this American artist is a poet who seeks to bring a little comfort and peace to this brutal world. Ten years after his debut and opening for Lenny Kravitz and Jack White, the Michigan native loves to share his passion. His music blends funk, soul, and pop with a velvety voice reminiscent of Eric Burton of the Black Pumas. "The Power" and "There She Goes" should be added immediately to your festival prep playlists to perfect the dance moves that will make you the dance floor god of 2026!
At 53, the Chanel muse has released eight albums and collaborated with a string of renowned artists: Gainsbourg, Kravitz, Iggy Pop, Dutronc, Matthieu Chedid, and most recently Etienne Daho for "Le Retour des Beaux Jours" (The Return of Good Times), a sunny album perfectly suited to summer evenings. Blending the groove and soul of the 60s and 70s, Vanessa Paradis is far removed from the caricature sometimes associated with her, revealing a captivating atmosphere with instantly catchy tracks ("Bouquet Final"). Seven years after "Les Sources" (The Sources), on which her husband Samuel Benchetrit collaborated, the artist continues to charm while maintaining her careers as an actress and model. On Friday, July 3, 2026, at 10 p.m., the elegance of this fifty-something will undoubtedly captivate the Cognac audience.
Just before Vanessa Paradis, one of the rising stars of British soul and jazz will grace the stage in Cognac. At 26, the self-taught artist has performed extensively and released around ten singles before signing with Communion Records, marking a turning point in her career. A Parisian at heart, prolific and inspired, Nectar Woode sees each concert as a new challenge and injects a touch of R&B into her compositions. The daughter of a saxophonist and a fashion designer, she has culture in her blood and sometimes evokes Lauryn Hill. In the city's gardens, her all-female quartet is sure to be a sensation; "Good Vibrations" is the perfect example. To discover her world, immerse yourself in "Live at Village Underground," released in December 2025!
A festival regular, Théo Charaf delighted audiences in 2019 with his intimate debut album, "Automatic City." Winner of the 2025 Cognac Blues Passions Award, this Lyon native has the Mississippi Delta in his blood, despite his early punk leanings. Sensitive and very likeable, Théo draws inspiration from his everyday life to compose, and he doesn't hesitate to brilliantly revisit tracks like "Hard Time Killing Floor," "Devil Got My Woman," and a Neil Young classic in concert. In 2023, he was part of Manu Lanvin's "Tribute to Calvin Russell" project, and last year, he presented a few tracks with his friends from Rolling Stone Magazine as part of their talented "Conversations" with available artists. Catch him before Jean-Louis Aubert on Thursday, July 2nd at 19:30 pm.
While we await the next announcements, here is the link to the festival's ticketing website where several options are available: https://bluespassions.com/practical information/ticketing/
Diego
Images: Cognac Blues Passions 2026
