The Montreux Jazz Festival is up and purring.

The world’s second largest jazz gathering is in full swing by the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, or Lac Léman as it is known by the locals.

More than 100 acts will have appeared by the time the curtain comes down on July 19.

Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel opened Montreux Jazz Lab on Friday with her disarming piano melodies and soft voice.

Perched between hope and despair, Obel’s first album ‘Philarmonics’ sold well across Europe.

Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald wowed the Auditorium Stravinsky with the performance of her 2007 hit ‘This is the Life’ the song that launched her worldwide. Since then she has sold over four million albums.

Spanish singer Buika brought jazz and flamenco to the Montreux Jazz Club

The so-called ‘girl of fire’ has adapted her unique voice to a variety of musical styles. Her lyrics reflect experience, raw sensuality, and her homeland.

Cologne native Ayo is a force of nature who makes no distinction between her life and her music. Her first album ‘Joyful’ impressed in 2006, the track ‘Down on my Knees’ became a global hit.

‘Ticket to the world,’ is her latest offering,described as “elegant and sincere”.

The 48th edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival runs from July 4 to 19.