Statues - Hither & Thither

Born Riley B. King on September 16, 1925 in Indianola, Mississippi B.B. King is universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues.

Since 1979, B.B. King has regularly been one of the stars of the Montreux Jazz Festival. The love and talent he shares with the Montreux audience will always remain in our memory.

Barbara Riley Levin is not only a dedicated fan of the Festival but also a philantropist who commissioned this bronze bust by Marco Zeno, a sculptor born in Milan and whose artwork, in both bronze and marble, has been exhibited all over the world.

Né sous le nom de Riley B. King le 16 Septembre 1925 à Indianola (Mississippi), B.B. King est reconnu dans le monde entier comme étant le roi régnant du blues.

Depuis 1979, B.B. King fait régulièrement partie des stars invitées au Montreux Jazz Festival. L'amour et le talent qu'il partage avec le public montreusien resteront ancré pour toujours dans toutes les mémoires.

Barbara Riley Levin est non seulement un fan dévoué du Festival, mais également une philanthrope. Elle a commandé et financé ce buste de bronze, qui a été réalisé par Marco Zeno. Les oeuvres de bronze et de marbre de ce sculpteur né à Milan ont exposé dans le monde entier.

Born Ray Charles Robinson on September 23, 1930 in Albany, Georgia, Ray Charles has been responsible for pioneering soul music and developing the style to include jazz and rhythm'n blues. At the Montreux Jazz Festival, Ray Charles played with the legendary Dizzy Gillespie in 1978 and with Quincy Jones in 1991.

Barbara Riley Levin is not only a dedicated fan of the Festival but also a philantropist who commissioned this bronze bust by Marco Zeno, a sculptor born in Milan and whose artwork, in both bronze and marble, has been exhibited all over the world.

Né sous le nom de Ray Charles Robinson le 23 Septembre 1930 à Albany (Goorgia), Ray Charles est un pionnier en matière de musique soul. Il a développé son propre style en y mêlant le jazz et le rhythm'n blues. En 1978, Ray Charles a joué au Montreux Jazz Festival en compagnie de Dizzy Gillespie et en 1991 avec Quincy Jones.

Barbara Riley Levin est non seulement un fan dévoué du Festival, mais également une philanthrope. Elle a commandé et financé ce buste de bronze, qui a été réalisé par Marco Zeno. Les oeuvres de bronze et de marbre de ce sculpteur né à Milan ont exposé dans le monde entier.

"the first lady of song"

donated by barbara j. riley to
claude nobs, founder of montreux
jazz festival

Artist: Danièle Lauffer
11.07.2007

Quincy Jones has one of the most remarkable careers in the history of music.

He has an incredible collection of Grammy Awards, including the productoion of the single "We are the World", among many other achievements.

He acts as a bridge between American communities, bringing together all of society's elements around music.

Aretha Franklin is an American singer, songwriter and pianist and has been referred to as The Queen of Soul.
She performed in Montreux during her first European tour in 1968.

In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has won 18 Grammys and two Honorary Grammys. On November 9, 2005, she was honoured with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Aretha Franklin was the only featured singer at the 2009 U.S. presidential inauguration for Barack Obama.

Sculptor: Marco ZENO
Commissed by: Barbara J. Riley for Claude Nobs

Donated by Barbara J. Riley to Claude Nobs,
Founder of Montreux Jazz Festival

Artist: Marco Zeno
10.07.2012