Liza Minnelli, Ricky Martin, et al. Set for Montreux Jazz Festival in July

Broadway legend Liza Minnelli and Broadway-bound performer Ricky Martin are set to make appearances at the 2011 Montreux Jazz Festival.The event will take place July 1-16 in Montreux, Switzerland.

On July 1, Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin will open this 45th Montreux Jazz Festival in the  Auditorium Stravinski - a dazzling introduction, with the evocative title "Invitation to Illumination".

With their unstoppable energy and expressive guitar skills, the two artists will enflame Montreux as  they present, as an exclusive, a first-time-ever live performance of the 1973 album they
collaborated on. A unique reunion that totally befits the spirit of this event, as it remains faithful to  the Festival's history while giving rise to new and audacious discoveries. In the same vein on July  3, Carlos Santana will join B.B. King - both guitar legends in their own right - as they play on stage  together for the first time.

As well as the event's own anniversary, this year's Festival is to celebrate influential and creative
producer Tommy LiPuma's 75th birthday. It will also look back on 30 years of Tom Silverman's  label Tommy Boy. On July 5, the tribute concert to LiPuma will bring together George Benson,  Diana Krall, Randy Crawford and Dr. John. As for the "Tommy Boy" evening, artists House of Pain,  Naughty By Nature and Afrika Bambaataa, along with dancers and street artists, will retrace the  history of hip-hop. In remembrance of 20 years since MiLes Davis' death, Marcus Miller, Herbie  Hancock and Wayne Shorter will pay him a vibrant tribute on July 13. The first appearance of  Vollenweider and Friends took place at the festival exactly 30 years ago. On July 7, the Swiss  harpist and his new and old friends are to celebrate their 30-year project at the Miles Davis Hall.

When it comes to partying, Latin American music is bound to play a part. On July 9, the sounds of
Brazil will therefore make their grand come-back at the Auditorium Stravinsky with Ana Carolina
and Maria Gadu. Those projects featuring a symphonic element also promise to provide the 2
audience with a unique experience. George Benson, accompanied by a symphony orchestra, will
perform his Grammy-winning album "Breezin", as an exclusive to Montreux.

Both Sting on July 11 and Deep Purple on July 16 will in turn dare to bridge the divide between
classical and pop, rock and soul. The anthem "Smoke on the Water" amplified by the Symphony
Orchestra, promises to be, for a faithful audience, the crowning moment of this final event.

Since its inception, one of the Festival's priorities has been to provide visitors with quality service,
convenience and a solid infrastructure. For this anniversary edition, the entrance hall is to receive a  face-lift and be made entirely available to the public. This zone of mixed activities will combine the  customer service desk with boutiques and an entertainment area. This will provide a higher quality  reception for visitors who will find practical information but also learn about the history of the Festival in a welcoming area. Services for professionals including the press area and accreditations  are to be relocated to the floor below. Culinary offerings along the promenade that overlooks the  lake are to be increased considerably. A champagne bar, terrace sushi, as well as a new  restaurant for 70 people are to be added to the numerous existing food stands. All efforts have  been made to provide Festival-goers with a diversity of artistic and culinary flavours.

Founded by Claude Nobs in 1967, over the years the Montreux Jazz Festival has become an unmissable event for music  fans in Switzerland and around the world. Its stages have been graced by all of music's greats, from MiLes Davis to Ray  Charles and from David Bowie to Prince. Whereas Jazz constitutes the Festival's historic core, other styles of music were  quickly integrated into the Festival, bound together by a common thread of mutual curiosity and enthusiasm. Having  made its reputation with its ambitious programming choices, the Montreux Jazz Festival offers musicians an ideal  platform and an intimate setting for the duration of its two weeks.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos