Festival International de Jazz de Montréal: Eclecticism at Place des Arts

Every performance hall in Place des Arts—along with the Esplanade—will be dressed up in the colours of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) starting June 27, 2024. The program is all sewn up, featuring standards, multidisciplinary stage experiences, and the rich repertoires of brilliant local and international artists, all of whom are ready to let the powerful sounds of jazz, folk, neo-classical, and electronic music resonate through the site. A wonderful selection of talent is waiting in the wings...

Timeless Classic Jazz

Let’s start at the beginning. Jazz is king at the FIJM, and you can treat it as such by attending a few shows that are truly representative of the genre. This year, Théâtre Jean-Duceppe is where the spotlight will shine on legends of jazz that audiences look to for music with a traditional touch, which is always welcome, along with an inventive side that fans appreciate too. Among the must-sees are the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, a true New Orleans jazz institution, and bass virtuoso Marcus Miller, both of whom promise performances that combine tradition and innovation.

Other highly anticipated artists in this same series include two living legends of jazz who will be celebrated in unforgettable concerts: Kenny Garrett and Oliver Jones. The former, one of the most brilliant and influential masters of contemporary jazz, is known for his fusion of virtuoso technique and raw emotion. The latter is a local hero, celebrating his 90^th birthday this year, taking to the stage with an array of well-known artists joining him in tribute, including Taurey Butler, Rafael Zaldivar, Lorraine Desmarais, and singer Ranee Lee.

A Few Surprises

Looking for a little change of pace? Renowned for his revolutionary work with the hip-hop duo OutKast, André 3000 came back on the scene last November (after a 20-year break) with an altogether different kind of musical project! New Blue Sun, his first solo album, is an instrumental masterpiece with the wind as its theme. We really didn’t see that coming!

But in the category of artists who are never quite where we expect them to be, Kid Koala remains the undisputed king. The Festival is giving audiences another opportunity to see his show The Storyville Mosquito, a large-scale work that requires a team of 15 artists—namely puppeteers and a string trio—with the whole show filmed live and projected in real-time on a giant screen. A truly unique immersive concert-film experience.

Local Stars in the Spotlight

Elisapie, a true ambassador of Inuit culture, is returning to Place des Arts with a concert unlike any other, promising something of a grand ritual. On a smaller scale, Leif Vollebekk will be here with his guitar and his wonderfully velvety voice. Pianist- phenomena Alexandra Stréliski will revisit pieces from her three albums and perform a selection of film music that’s especially near and dear to her.

Neo-classical music—a style with which Alexandra Stréliski is associated, in fact—is also on the bill at Club Montréal TD, located on the Place des Arts Esplanade, featuring a program that is completely free of charge. Appearing on the same stage on June 28 is artist Simon Leoza, a master of airy, mellow orchestrations, peppered with captivating electronic layers, creating a cottony soft musical landscape.

Club Montréal TD also promises more excitement from the Canadian music scene, including Alicia Creti, La Sécurité, and Ariel Posen… not to mention Warren Spicer, from the indie rock group Plants and Animals, who will be here to enchant us with the folk and jazz grooves of his Unessential Oils project.

All That and an Exhibition too!

Coinciding with the shows, Place des Arts is hosting an exhibition entitled Je rêvais d’un festival. This retrospective look at the life and work of FIJM founder and major Quebec cultural figure Alain Simard features posters, photos, and artifacts from his personal collection. A unique look into the life of this great man who has always believed that music can change the world. For the most ardent music fans, a virtual auction will take place on June 26, with profits going to the Fondation de la Place des Arts. It’s a great opportunity to get your hands on some unique items, like one of Ben Harper’s guitars, signed screen prints by Tony Bennet and Miles Davis, etc.

What did we miss? Tons of shows, of course. Like the highly anticipated Mixtape: un hommage musical à Jean-Marc Vallée, or Joshua Redman’s show with Gabrielle Cavassa, or an acoustic set of Jeanne Added’s songs. And much, much more…