French jazz festival makes US debut in Miami

MIAMI (AP) -- The annual Nice (niece) Jazz Festival on the French Riviera is making its U.S. debut in Miami.

The three-day Miami Nice Jazz Festival opened Friday. The performances are the first in a five-year partnership between the two cities.

Among the musicians scheduled to perform is Eddie Palmieri. The U.S. National Endowment for the Arts recently announced that the pianist will receive one of its 2013 Jazz Masters Awards. That's the nation's highest honor in jazz.

Bassist and composer Kyle Eastwood, the son of actor Clint Eastwood, also is scheduled to perform.

The Nice Jazz Festival has been held each year since 1948.

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