Patrick Watson, Angine de Poitrine, Willow and Saint Levant to perform free shows
Special tribute concerts for Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane
The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal recently announced this year’s lineup of talented performers. The world’s largest jazz festival will feature over 350 concerts, two thirds of which are free. Striking a balance between tradition, heritage and modernity, the 2026 lineup serves as a rallying point where the history of jazz continues to be written. We at The Montrealer are offering an overview of the festival, including the ticketed concerts in Place des Arts, and the intimate Gesu Theatre, plus my favourite – The Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill on Mackay Street downtown.
Marcus Miller, former music director for Miles Davis will perform a tribute to his late boss on June 25
Must-see highlights: Highly anticipated free concerts on the TD Stage featuring today’s top local and international artists, including Patrick Watson, Angine de Poitrine, Willow, and Saint Levant. The Festival also offers a chance to catch rising jazz stars—Mohini Dey, Mei Semones, Annahstasia and Destin Conrad—before they reach imminent superstardom.
This historic edition will also mark what would be the 100th birthdays of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Tony Bennett with tribute performances by artists such as Marcus Miller, Christine Jensen, Ron Di Lauro and John Pizzarelli. Major milestones for UZEB and the late J Dilla will also be celebrated. To find ticket information for indoor concerts, please visit montrealjazzfest.com.
Diana Krall will perform two shows at the elegant Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, June 26 and 27
A TD Stage with both local and international flavours
It’s official: Angine de Poitrine is coming back to the festival. The enigmatic duo from Saguenay—who became a global phenomenon following the recording of their performance at the Trans Musicales festival in Rennes and a standout appearance on Tout le monde en parle—will take over the TD Stage (L’Événement Spécial Rio Tinto) this time for a free concert, sure to be one of the most anticipated shows of the year. Also appearing on the main stage: indie-folk group The Barr Brothers, performing tracks from their latest album Let It Hiss, and the essential Patrick Watson as part of his Uh Oh tour. Every one of Watson’s Festival appearances becomes a magical moment; such as his surprise concert at the Place des Festivals last year.
Laura Anglade will bring her sultry voice to the Gésu on June 29
The TD Stage will be the place to hear today’s top global artists, such as the sensational Willow (daughter of Will Smith) will finally play in Montréal with her fluid blend of R&B, soul and jazz, as will the blues-rock sister act Larkin Poe, also making their FIJM debut. Check out Naïka, the up-and-coming Franco-Haitian singer who deftly blends her global influences with Western pop, R&B and soul, as well as French-Palestinian sensation Saint Levant, who fuses Western and Middle Eastern musical sensibilities, and Smino, the futuristic funk and soulful rap artist whose collaborations include Doechii. And a true Festival favourite, the London-based group KOKOROKO, returns with their passionate fusion of jazz and afrobeat sounds.
Renowned harpist Brandee Younger
Photo: Erin Patrice O’Brien
Historic Anniversaries
This year, the Festival will celebrate the centenaries of three jazz giants, all born in 1926: Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Tony Bennett.
The legendary trumpeter will be honoured during the concert We Want Miles – A Miles Davis Centennial Celebration, featuring Marcus Miller, Davis’s final musical director, at the Maison Symphonique. Meanwhile, trumpeter Ron Di Lauro will perform the iconic album Kind of Blue on stage at Le Gesù. In the same series, the Ciné-concert: Ascenseur pour l’échafaud revisité par Rémi Cormier Quintet will bring to life Miles Davis’s 1958 soundtrack for the Louis Malle film.
John Pizzarelli will perform a tribute to Tony Bennett at Theatre Maisonneuve on July 3
The legacy of John Coltrane will also be celebrated with Modes of Coltrane by the Christine Jensen Sextet at the Club Montréal Loto-Québec Stage, followed by Isaiah Collier, who will perform A Love Supreme in its entirety at the Place des Arts’ Théâtre Jean-Duceppe.
The tributes continue with John Pizzarelli sings Bennett, featuring American jazz guitarist and singer John Pizzarelli honouring the late Tony Bennett at Place des Arts’ Théâtre Maisonneuve. Editor’s Note: This artist is a favourite of The Montrealer readers.
The Christine Jensen Sextet will salute the music of John Coltrane on July 1 at 6pm and 8pm
Twenty years after the untimely passing of J Dilla and the 2006 release of his legendary album Donuts, DJ Jazzy Jeff will pay him homage during the Donuts 20th Anniversary Celebration Party with the Montréal Loves Dilla collective at Club Soda.
The Festival will also mark the 50th anniversary of the group UZEB with the premiere of the documentary UZEB en fusion, as well as performances by Alain Caron and Michel Cusson at Le Gesù.
Aretha Tillotson is a JUNO nominated Canadian bassist, band leader and composer
Jazz here and now: heirs to the legends
The jazz tradition is in good hands with artists like Craig Taborn, the Brooklyn pianist and recent MacArthur “genius grant” recipient, performing at Pub Molson. Festival-goers can also hear the Jean-Michel Pilc Trio at Le Studio TD, a group known for both honouring and deconstructing jazz rhythms.
Meanwhile, Théâtre Maisonneuve will host the unprecedented pairing of Christian McBride & Julian Lage, two undisputed legends of the current jazz scene. Lorraine Desmarais, recipient of the 2002 Oscar Peterson Award, will present a concert in the purest jazz tradition at Place des Arts’ Théâtre Jean-Duceppe. The festival will welcome GENA for the first time—a duo known for fiery percussive and vocal improvisations—with Liv.e and Karriem Riggins at Le Studio TD.
The lineup also spotlights artists who are sustaining the jazz legacy while simultaneously reinventing it. This includes the French-American duo DOMi & JD BECK, returning to MTELUS three years after an impressive performance on the Place des Festivals and their stint opening for Herbie Hancock.
“The programming for the 46th FIJM is a testament to the great jazz family tree, which has flourished for more than 100 years. Across its many branches, we celebrate the genre’s pivotal moments and living legacy, while introducing the artists shaping its future. Montréal remains a vital hub for jazz, and this is an event you won’t want to miss.” — Maurin Auxéméry, Director of Programming, FIJM
Lionel Richie and Earth Wind and Fire will wow the Bell Centre audience on July 5
Don’t miss the prodigy Mohini Dey, an extraordinary bassist from India. Making waves with her powerful fusion of jazz and metal, she has been playing professionally since the age of 10. She will be appearing at Le Studio TD. On the Rogers Stage, Montréal audiences are invited to discover Mei Semones, a neo-bossa jazz artist who writes songs in both English and Japanese, as well as the Louis Cole Big Band, a viral future-sonic-funk ensemble known for delivering unforgettable performances. Also appearing is the talented flutist and singer Elena Pinderhughes, who will perform at Pub Molson.
The new offshoots of the jazz legacy are thriving through artists who carry its foundations into innovative new styles. Consider the flamboyant R&B of Destin Conrad, veritable social media star, or the orchestral-scale folk of Annahstasia. Be sure to catch these two rising stars on the TD Stage while there is still time. On the same stage, look for Gabriel Jacoby, a stunning multi-instrumentalist and poet making his very first Festival appearance. Audiences will also fall for Nubiyan Twist, an irresistible ensemble featuring a powerful blend of jazz, afrobeat, dancehall and reggae on the Rogers Stage. Finally, be sure to discover Fabiola Méndez, a highly gifted cuatrista known for her unique genre fusions and her collaboration with none other than Bad Bunny.
Earth Wind and Fire will will accompany Lionel Richie on July 5 at the Bell Centre
The Festival will also honour “legendary cousins” of the genre, featuring a rare visit from the salsa orchestra El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, bringing the party to Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Additionally, Lionel Richie, accompanied by Earth, Wind & Fire, will have the Bell Centre on its feet.
The jazz festival has an excellent website that provides easy to access to the hundreds of show scheduled over the ten days of music in our wonderful city. www.montrealjazzfest.com Enjoy!