A 29th edition bubbling with excitement!
by Alain Simard
President and founder
The 30th anniversary next year… and the party has already begun!
This 29th edition offers a comprehensive 11-day-and-night survey of planet jazz
and its satellites, be they electro-jazz, bossa nova, blues, hip hop, world music
in all its diversity, or even musical comedy!
From homegrown grooves to sounds from five continents, from the up-andcoming artists
ready to revolutionize a genre to the most respected grandmasters at the summit
of their art, the Festival once again transforms the metropolis into the universal
beating heart of music, reaffirming anew that the title “City of Festivals”
truly belongs to Montreal. A City of Festivals that’s enjoying a make-over…
Everyone has taken notice of the excitement that reigns in the Quartier des spectacles,
where a genuine transformation is taking place, turning this downtown sector into
a major tourist attraction and, moreover, a new Montreal trademark.
While awaiting the opening of its Maison du Festival de Jazz—headquarters
for the promotion of music, as well as the conservation of the Festival’s
audiovisual heritage, which will be ready just in time for the 30th anniversary
of the Festival and will be designed to also house Montreal’s genuine jazzbar,
Upstairs—the Festival is going mobile! We’ll be setting up shop in some
new venues (Monument- National, Théâtre Outremont), adding new concert
series to established clubs (Club Soda, Théâtre Jean-Duceppe, Théâtre
Maisonneuve), and even presenting shows in a brand-new venue especially imported
by ship from Europe—the Pavillon Heineken, a magnificent Spiegel Tentinspired
by 19th century Belgium! A few peripatetic artists, like Brad Mehldau and Daniel
Lanois, will even fly from venue to venue to showcase their artistry in a variety
of settings!
An irresistible festive atmosphere
Among other changes to the outdoor program and site, there will be the relocation
of the Bell Stage (to the corner of Clark St. and Ste. Catherine St.) and the SIMM
GM Tent (to the corner of St. Laurent Blvd. and Ste Catherine St.), expanded entertainment,
particularly on Jeanne-Mance St., two parades for the whole family, a greater range
of games for children in the Parc musical and even more giant screens strategically
placed throughout the site to optimize enjoyment of our outdoor shows—including
our three renowned major events…
These three massive popular gatherings, varied in theme and bursting with surprise
guests, bring that unmistakable air of celebration to this edition! The opening
event pays homage to one of the most important and influential singer-songwriters—and
writers, period—of our time with Tribute to Leonard Cohen, followed mid-Festival
by Bran Van 3000’s highly-anticipated block party and, to close the festivities,
a concert from the master of the kora, Mory Kanté.
Legends and stars
But that’s not all. The program of this 29th edition, dedicated to the late
Oscar Peterson, who passed away last winter, is as incredible as it can get! Music
fans will pinch themselves at the stunning array of legends, contemporary stars,
and promising young talents gathered under one banner over the Festival’s
11-day run. What other event boasts a program featuring Aretha Franklin,
Woody Allen, Leonard Cohen, Return To Forever, Abbey Lincoln, Dianne Reeves, James
Taylor, atie Melua, Lee «Scratch» Perry, he Wailers, David Murray, Michel Donato,
Guy Nadon, le fils Coltrane, Coral Egal,Steely Dan, Yael Naim, Al Green, Lewis
Furey, to name a few? In a single series, Invitation Rio Tinto Alcan, dedicated
this year to Oscar Peterson, piano masters Hank Jones, McCoy Tyner and Dave Brubeck
will divide up nine evenings of concerts and welcome special guests Oliver Jones
and Brad Mehldau. And with new series, including Ciné-jazz screenings featuring
live musicians, and the special theatrical performances Belly of a Drunken Piano
A Celebration of Tom Waits, and the spectacular Montreal creation Houdini, The Musical,
the musical range and richness of this edition stretch the limits of the imagination!
THE FESTIVAL’S AWARDS
Such commendable talent deserves special recognition, and the Festival has always
believed in the importance of rewarding the excellence of artists from all over
the world! Along with the General Motors Grand Jazz Award and the Galaxie Rising
Star Award of the CBC, recognizing the finest Canadian musicians (winners announced
during the Festival), organizers will pay tribute to the brilliant musical contributions
of singerguitarist and composer Gilberto Gil (Antonio Carlos Jobim Award), Queen
of Soul Aretha Franklin (Ella Fitzgerald Award), legendary pianist McCoy Tyner (Miles
Davis Award) as well as Dave Young (Oscar Peterson award), double bassist and friend
of Oscar Peterson. In addition, the Festival will present the Montreal Jazz Spirit
Award to Leonard Cohen, in recognition of the quality and innovation of his work,
and the definitive influence this singer-songwriter has had and continues to have
on the international music community.
LIVE VISUAL ARTS
It cannot be forgotten that music is a delight not only for the ears, but for the
eyes… which is why the Galerie du Festival is the place to be to discover
jazz in all its true colours. The Galerie will offer a silkscreen taken from the
official Festival poster, numbered and signed by Yves Archambault, celebrating his
20th year at the Festival as poster artist in residence, as well as a silkscreen
from one of Quebec’s most important artists, Armand Vaillancourt, entitled
La Révolution du coeur! As a Festival exclusive, this multidisciplinary artist
will also create a mural live-on-the-spot during the length of the Festival fans!
SOME ESSENTIAL PARTNERS
We offer thanks to all our public and private partners whose involvement makes this
musical celebration possible! Let us first thank the three levels of government,
which followed last autumn’s Sommet Montréal, Métropole culturelle
by agreeing to put their combined forces behind major festivals and the Quartier
des spectacles to consolidate the reputation of our city.
We must also emphasize the important support of the private sector: General Motors
of Canada, principal sponsor and official presenter of the Festival, and Rio Tinto
Alcan, official co-presenter, as well as Bell Canada, Loto-Québec, TD Canada
Trust, the SAQ, Best Buy, Heineken and Société Radio-Canada, our main
media partner. Thanks to them, Festival fans can live out a one-of-a-kind 11-day
musical dream and enjoy a massive array of free concerts.
Enjoy the Festival!
