This weekend, Montreal just saw the Francos festival (celebrating francophone music) come to an end, which can only mean one thing: the Montreal International Jazz Festival is just around the corner!
As it inches closer to its 40th anniversary, the Festival pursues its mission to offer a vast lineup that brilliantly brings together jazz, blues, rock, reggae, world music, and electronic music, with more than 500 concerts, 2/3 of which are free, presented over 11 days in nearly 30 Montréal venues. Downtown, 20 stages across a site closed to traffic will allow the public to enjoy many, many shows. From June 26 to July 6, several hundred thousand people will enter the site of the biggest jazz festival in the world to move to the rhythm of the music. From small intimate venues to huge outdoor concerts, from legends to young emerging prodigies, from international artists to local talents, the Festival covers the whole spectrum of possibilities to make music come to life!
While you can head over to the festival’s website to see the full lineup, we have compiled a list of our favorite acts, who will most definitely deliver must-see performances!
This year, the charismatic Charlotte Cardin will kick off the grand events on June 27, on the TD stage that festival-goers know and love. Her voice and musical creations will undoubtedly wonderfully launch the festival!
On July 1st, Munya: this name hides a secret not so well kept anymore. Singer-songwriter Josie Boivin charmed our neighbours to the South with her “new synth folk,” in her own words.
On July 2, the great music of Australian artist Nick Murphy (fka Chet Faker) will thrill the public with sensual vibes and off-kilter beats. We will also see Fjord. Two years after their first EP, Quebec electro-pop duo is back with Shallow Waters, produced by Tim Bran (La Roux, The Verve), with guitars, piano, strings, flute and harp mixed with electronic textures.
On July 4th, Paul Cargnello and guests: Aiza, Fredy V, Sarah MK, Satellites, Clerel. This Montréal singer-songwriter has been going at it for 20 years. He’s back with an unpredictable new funk album, Promises. He will be surrounded by many guests to deliver an outstanding groovy experience.
Finally, the festival will close on July 6 with a highly anticipated concert by gifted Canadian performer Matt Holubowski. We can expect powerful energy on the TD Stage that night, during a concert filled with 11 days’ worth of emotion and effervescence.
Montreal’s International Jazz Festival will be taking place from June 27th to July 6th. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit montrealjazzfest.com