Did you know that Louis Armstrong stopped in Lyon in the 1930s? Long before jazz found its place in French concert halls, the famous American trumpeter performed at the Salle Rameau, right in the heart of the city. Nearly a century later, his melodies continue to resonate throughout the Lyon metropolitan area, notably with “The Jazz Room,” a tribute concert to Armstrong and Frank Sinatra at Cirque Imagine.
Louis Armstrong’s Early Successes in France
On December 31, 1933, Louis Armstrong gave his first concert, organized by Jacques Canetti at the Lausanne Palace in Switzerland. The producer, a jazz enthusiast, dreamed of introducing the American trumpeter to French audiences. Two more concerts followed at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, but new offers were slow in coming. Never mind: Canetti decided to organize a tour of the rest of the country himself, renting venues at his own risk.
From Strasbourg to Marseille, via Lyon, Armstrong’s jazz began to be heard beyond the capital. Among the stops on this journey was the Salle Rameau on Rue de la Martinière, where the musician performed on November 13, 1934. This stop in Lyon serves as a reminder that at the time, despite his fame across the Atlantic, Armstrong was still largely unknown to French audiences outside of Paris.
His music still resonates
Nearly a century later, Louis Armstrong’s music is finding a new resonance in the Lyon metropolitan area. This time, it’s at Cirque Imagine in Vaulx-en-Velin, on Line A, where his songs are performed alongside those of Frank Sinatra. With The Jazz Room, a group of musicians pays tribute to the two legends during an hour of live music, featuring swing, familiar melodies, and an intimate atmosphere. A different era, a different stage, but still the same joy of hearing their songs performed live.
13 November 2026 18:30 + more dates
Cirque Imagine
Cirque Imagine, a permanent circus at the Carré de Soie
Founded in 1999 as a project by the Massot family—descended from six generations of artists—Cirque Imagine ended its touring days to settle at the Carré de Soie in Vaulx-en-Velin in 2012. Under the big tops, circus arts blend with cabaret, and from the bleachers, the audience watches one act after another—sometimes between courses during a dinner-show.
Despite its four permanent big tops, the venue retains the image of a traveling circus, while welcoming you year-round just outside Lyon.
To get there, take Metro Line A or Tram Line T3 to the Vaulx-en-Velin la Soie stop: the circus is about 100 meters away.
Practical Information
- 📅 Next date: Friday, November 13, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
- 🎷 Other showtimes: available for booking through January 29, 2027.
- ⏳ Duration: 1 hour.
- 🔞 Minimum age: 18.
- 📍 Address: Cirque Imagine, 5 avenue des Canuts, 69120 Vaulx-en-Velin.
The Jazz Room: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong
13 November 2026 18:30 + more dates
Cirque Imagine
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