Festival international de jazz de Montréal 2026 : The Art of Losing Balance

Over the course of its 46 editions, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) has never allowed itself to be confined to a rigid framework. People come for the jazz, of course, but also to be swept up in the rhythm of surprising performances that offer a fresh take on the music. So, here is our list of must-sees!

The major events

Once again this year, the FIJM invites Montreal audiences to gather around major names who have shaped music. Let’s start with the Puerto Rican group El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on June 29. A true institution, nicknamed “the university of salsa,” this legendary ensemble has been bringing its irresistible Latin rhythms to stages around the world for more than 60 years.

Another event that is both historic and electrifying: Marcus Miller – We Want Miles!, on June 25 at the Maison symphonique; a concert celebrating the 100th anniversary of Miles Davis’ birth. The evening will be led by bassist Marcus Miller, joined by original members of the band that accompanied the illustrious trumpeter during the 1980s.

Finally, festivalgoers can look forward to a first. Lorraine Desmarais & Friends, at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe on June 27, promises a perfect alchemy between the great Montreal jazz pianist and three exceptional artists: trombonist Alain Trudel, double bassist Éric Lagacé, known for his collaboration with Oliver Jones, and Paul Brochu, former drummer of UZEB.

The FIJM… goes symphonic!

The FIJM has always had this strength: reminding us that curiosity is a form of loyalty to the spirit of jazz. This summer, two events perfectly embody this fusion of traditions, pop culture, and orchestral power.

First, Max Richter and the American Contemporary Music Ensemble will light up Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on June 25. A major figure in contemporary classical music, Richter creates works with the rare ability of speaking to the body as much as to the mind.

In a completely different register, St. Vincent comes to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier on June 28 for a symphonic reinterpretation of her indie/art rock repertoire. This concert series takes songs already rich in texture and elevates them to a large-scale dimension, carried by arrangements and an orchestra that expand their palette. A collision of genres that perfectly suits the music of this singular artist, winner of six Grammy Awards.

Exploratory encounters

Jazz is also the art of allowing oneself to be transformed by unexpected encounters.

Let’s first dive into the folk, minimalist and introspective world of Arielle Soucy, on June 30 at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe. The Montreal singer-songwriter has made her mark on the Quebec music scene in recent years with a warm, comforting sound… almost therapeutic!

The 2026 edition also invites us to an encounter with Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah, on July 1 at Théâtre Jean-Duceppe. This composer and multi-instrumentalist has built a universe of hybrid forms, where rhythms, textures and legacies respond to one another Don’t miss this artist who, for more than a quarter of a century, has amassed prestigious collaborations with Prince, Thom Yorke, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marcus Miller and more.

A shift in frequency comes on July 2, when Tortoise hypnotizes Théâtre Maisonneuve! For 40 years, these Chicago-born pioneers of the post-rock movement have been exploring sound by fusing the energy of indie rock with jazz, electronic and ambient influences.

Jazz Memories on Screen

A festival is not just a showcase for the present; it is also an opportunity to preserve our collective memory. The screening of the documentary UZEB en fusion, on June 29 at Salle Ludger-Duvernay at the Monument-National, revisits the journey of one of the defining groups of the local scene. A leading figure in jazz fusion, UZEB left its mark on the 1980s with astonishing technical mastery and an unwavering search for new sounds. The trio formed by Michel Cusson on guitar, Alain Caron on bass and Paul Brochu on drums was also a pioneer in the adoption of MIDI technology.

Directed by Philippe Frenette-Roy, this documentary traces the story of the legendary group, from its beginnings in Drummondville in the mid-1970s to its worldwide success.

In short, this 46th edition of the FIJM brilliantly succeeds in bringing together musical worlds that can sometimes seem opposed. The future of jazz is being written here, through hybridization and boldness. For festivalgoers, the roadmap is simple: choose, get lost, start again…

The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal runs from June 25 to July 4, 2026.