Every year the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal – June 28 - July 7, 2018 – is a highlight of my summer.
It's a truly international festival with 3,000 musicians from 5 continents performing in some 500 events, many of them free and open to the public.
Ticketed shows already announced include Kamasi Washington, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Holly Cole, Ian Anderson presents Jethro Tull 50th Anniversary Tour, Chris Botti, Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band featuring Dennis Chambers and Tom Kennedy, Keyon Harrold and more! (See press release below.)
I so agree with Michael Bourne who wrote in DownBeat Magazine that it's the "Best of the Fests.... Bigger! Better! Best, actually..." Playboy Magazine says it's "the best urban music festival in North America." Mitch Myers writes in the Hollywood Reporter that the Festival is "a compelling summer destination....the multicultural and cosmopolitan nature of Montreal is reflected in the festival's diverse programming, showing a great respect for music, the artists and culture in general." And Under the Radar notes that the Fest "is known for its impeccable curation that sees living legends nestling among newer names with some real curveball surprises."
In addition, the Festival is family-friendly, featuring a special kids park with a walk-on playable keyboard, saxophone slide, face painting, special performances and much more.
The full schedule, which includes jazz in every style, world music, soul, and electro-pop – from blue-chip tickets to newcomers, from home and abroad, will be announced later this spring.
Tickets on sale now
Place des Arts and Maison symphonique de Montréal: 175 Ste. Catherine St. W.; 514 842-2112, 1 866 842-2112 or placedesarts.com
MTELUS: 59 Ste. Catherine St. E.; 1 855 790-1245 or ticketmaster.ca
Club Soda: 1225 Saint-Laurent Blvd.; 514 286-1010 or clubsoda.ca
Monument-National: 1182 Saint-Laurent Blvd.; 514 871-2224 or monumentnational.com
Gesù: 1200 De Bleury St.; 514 861-4378 or legesu.com
L’Astral, Maison du Festival: 305 Ste. Catherine St. W.; 514 288-8882 or sallelastral.com
The 39th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal will be held from June 28 to July 7 2018.
