{"id":712038,"date":"2026-06-03T10:21:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T10:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/712038\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T10:21:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T10:21:14","slug":"montreal-international-jazz-festival-46th-anniversary-june-24-july-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/712038\/","title":{"rendered":"Montreal International Jazz Festival, 46th Anniversary, June 24 \u2013 July 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPatrick\u00a0Watson, Angine de\u00a0Poitrine, Willow and Saint Levant\u00a0to perform free shows
\nSpecial tribute concerts for Tony Bennett, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Festival\u00a0International\u00a0de\u00a0Jazz\u00a0de\u00a0Montr\u00e9al recently announced this year\u2019s lineup of talented performers. The world\u2019s largest jazz festival will feature over\u00a0350 concerts,\u00a0two 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 \u2013 The Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill on Mackay Street downtown.<\/p>\n

\"Marcus<\/p>\n

Marcus Miller, former music director for Miles Davis will perform a tribute to his late boss on June 25<\/p>\n

Must-see highlights: Highly anticipated free concerts on the TD Stage featuring today\u2019s 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\u2014Mohini Dey, Mei Semones, Annahstasia and Destin Conrad\u2014before they reach imminent superstardom.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Diana<\/p>\n

Diana Krall will perform two shows at the elegant Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, June 26 and 27<\/p>\n

A TD Stage with both local and international flavours<\/p>\n

It\u2019s official:\u00a0Angine de\u00a0Poitrine\u00a0is coming back to the festival. The enigmatic duo from Saguenay\u2014who became a global phenomenon following the recording of their performance at the Trans Musicales festival in Rennes and a standout appearance on\u00a0Tout le monde en parle\u2014will take over the TD Stage (L\u2019\u00c9v\u00e9nement Sp\u00e9cial 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\u00a0The Barr Brothers, performing tracks from their latest album\u00a0Let It Hiss, and the essential\u00a0Patrick\u00a0Watson\u00a0as part of his\u00a0Uh Oh\u00a0tour. Every one of Watson\u2019s Festival appearances becomes a magical moment;\u00a0such as his surprise concert at the Place des\u00a0Festivals last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Laura<\/p>\n

Laura Anglade will bring her sultry voice to the G\u00e9su on June 29<\/p>\n

The TD Stage will be the place to hear today\u2019s top global artists, such as the sensational\u00a0Willow\u00a0(daughter of Will\u00a0Smith) will finally play in Montr\u00e9al with her fluid blend of R&B, soul and jazz, as will the blues-rock sister act\u00a0Larkin Poe, also making their FIJM debut. Check out\u00a0Na\u00efka, 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\u00a0Saint Levant, who fuses Western and Middle Eastern musical sensibilities, and\u00a0Smino, the futuristic funk and soulful rap artist whose collaborations include Doechii. And a true Festival favourite, the London-based group\u00a0KOKOROKO, returns with their passionate fusion of jazz and afrobeat sounds.<\/p>\n

\"Brandee<\/p>\n

Renowned harpist Brandee Younger
Photo: Erin Patrice O\u2019Brien<\/p>\n

Historic Anniversaries<\/p>\n

This year, the Festival will celebrate the centenaries of three jazz giants, all born in 1926: Miles\u00a0Davis,\u00a0John Coltrane\u00a0and\u00a0Tony\u00a0Bennett.<\/p>\n

The legendary trumpeter will be honoured during the concert\u00a0We Want Miles \u2013 A Miles\u00a0Davis Centennial Celebration, featuring\u00a0Marcus\u00a0Miller, Davis\u2019s final musical director, at the Maison Symphonique. Meanwhile, trumpeter\u00a0Ron Di\u00a0Lauro\u00a0will perform the iconic album\u00a0Kind of Blue\u00a0on stage at Le Ges\u00f9. In the same series, the\u00a0Cin\u00e9-concert:\u00a0Ascenseur pour l\u2019\u00e9chafaud\u00a0revisit\u00e9 par R\u00e9mi Cormier Quintet\u00a0will bring to life Miles\u00a0Davis\u2019s 1958 soundtrack for the Louis\u00a0Malle film.<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

John Pizzarelli will perform a tribute to Tony Bennett at Theatre Maisonneuve on July 3<\/p>\n

The legacy of John Coltrane will also be celebrated with\u00a0Modes of Coltrane\u00a0by the\u00a0Christine\u00a0Jensen Sextet\u00a0at the Club Montr\u00e9al Loto-Qu\u00e9bec Stage, followed by\u00a0Isaiah\u00a0Collier, who will perform\u00a0A Love Supreme\u00a0in its entirety at the Place des\u00a0Arts\u2019 Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Jean-Duceppe.<\/p>\n

The tributes continue with\u00a0John Pizzarelli sings Bennett, featuring American jazz guitarist and singer\u00a0John Pizzarelli\u00a0honouring the late Tony\u00a0Bennett at Place des\u00a0Arts\u2019 Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Maisonneuve. Editor\u2019s Note: This artist is a favourite of The Montrealer readers.<\/p>\n

\"Christine<\/p>\n

The Christine Jensen Sextet will salute the music of John Coltrane on July 1 at 6pm and 8pm<\/p>\n

Twenty years after the untimely passing of\u00a0J\u00a0Dilla\u00a0and the 2006 release of his legendary album\u00a0Donuts,\u00a0DJ Jazzy Jeff\u00a0will pay him homage during the\u00a0Donuts 20th Anniversary Celebration Party\u00a0with the\u00a0Montr\u00e9al Loves Dilla\u00a0collective at Club\u00a0Soda.<\/p>\n

The Festival will also mark the 50th anniversary of the group\u00a0UZEB\u00a0with the premiere of the documentary\u00a0UZEB en fusion, as well as performances by\u00a0Alain\u00a0Caron and Michel Cusson\u00a0at Le Ges\u00f9.<\/p>\n

\"Aretha<\/p>\n

Aretha Tillotson is a JUNO nominated Canadian bassist, band leader and composer<\/p>\n

Jazz here and now: heirs to the legends<\/p>\n

The jazz tradition is in good hands with artists like Craig Taborn, the Brooklyn pianist and recent MacArthur \u201cgenius grant\u201d recipient, performing at Pub Molson. Festival-goers can also hear the\u00a0Jean-Michel Pilc Trio at Le Studio TD, a group known for both honouring and deconstructing jazz rhythms.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Maisonneuve will host the unprecedented pairing of\u00a0Christian\u00a0McBride & Julian Lage, two undisputed legends of the current jazz scene.\u00a0Lorraine Desmarais, recipient of the 2002 Oscar\u00a0Peterson Award, will present a concert in the purest jazz tradition at Place des\u00a0Arts\u2019 Th\u00e9\u00e2tre Jean-Duceppe. The festival will welcome\u00a0GENA\u00a0for the first time\u2014a duo known for fiery percussive and vocal improvisations\u2014with Liv.e and Karriem Riggins at Le Studio TD.<\/p>\n

The lineup also spotlights artists who are sustaining the jazz legacy while simultaneously reinventing it. This includes the French-American duo\u00a0DOMi & JD BECK, returning to MTELUS three years after an impressive performance on the Place des\u00a0Festivals and their stint opening for Herbie Hancock.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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\u2019s pivotal moments and living legacy, while introducing the artists shaping its future. Montr\u00e9al remains a vital hub for jazz, and this is an event you won\u2019t want to miss.\u201d \u2014 Maurin Aux\u00e9m\u00e9ry, Director of Programming, FIJM<\/p>\n

\"Lionel<\/p>\n

Lionel Richie and Earth Wind and Fire will wow the Bell Centre audience on July 5<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss the prodigy\u00a0Mohini 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, Montr\u00e9al audiences are invited to discover\u00a0Mei Semones, a neo-bossa jazz artist who writes songs in both English and Japanese, as well as the\u00a0Louis\u00a0Cole Big Band, a viral future-sonic-funk ensemble known for delivering unforgettable performances. Also appearing is the talented flutist and singer\u00a0Elena Pinderhughes, who will perform at Pub Molson.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Destin\u00a0Conrad, veritable social media star, or the orchestral-scale folk of\u00a0Annahstasia. Be sure to catch these two rising stars on the TD Stage while there is still time. On the same stage, look for\u00a0Gabriel Jacoby, a stunning multi-instrumentalist and poet making his very first Festival appearance. Audiences will also fall for\u00a0Nubiyan Twist, an irresistible ensemble featuring a powerful blend of jazz, afrobeat, dancehall and reggae on the Rogers Stage. Finally, be sure to discover\u00a0Fabiola M\u00e9ndez, a highly gifted cuatrista known for her unique genre fusions and her collaboration with none other than Bad Bunny.<\/p>\n

\"Earth<\/p>\n

Earth Wind and Fire will will accompany Lionel Richie on July 5 at the Bell Centre<\/p>\n

The Festival will also honour \u201clegendary cousins\u201d of the genre, featuring a rare visit from the salsa orchestra\u00a0El Gran Combo de\u00a0Puerto Rico, bringing the party to Place des\u00a0Arts\u2019 Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. Additionally,\u00a0Lionel Richie, accompanied by\u00a0Earth, Wind & Fire, will have the Bell Centre on its feet.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> Enjoy!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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